Quick Facts
Biography
Paul C. Pieper (born October 20, 1972) is an American guitarist and composer, known primarily for his work as a jazz musician.
Biography
Pieper won second place from over 200 competitors at the 1995 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition, a global event whose judges included Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, & Pat Martino. As a jazz musician in the Washington D.C. area, Pieper has numerous appearances at D.C.'s famed Blues Alley & a 2000 stint with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra to his name. Pieper has performed as a touring musician in numerous countries, including Bangladesh, Ecuador, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Russia, & Turkey. A composer & arranger, Pieper's compositions "Spider Monkey," "Pensées," "Kineticism," & "The Red and the Black" have all been included on recordings led by other musicians. As a session player, Pieper has appeared on upwards of twenty CD's, such as Buck Hill's 2005 release, Relax. Best known for his work as a jazz player, Pieper's versatility is evidenced by his recent work as band leader and electric bassist for Five Finger Discount, a band performing classic funk songs; he is also a founding member of Washington D.C. area indie rock band Glass and Apples.
Discography
As Leader
Paul Pieper – Stories of Before (Bright Orange, 2005)
As Guitarist (Partial)
Ericka Ovette/Ruby Hayes – Sassie & Bessie A-Live at the Paradise Lounge (Patuxent, 2007)
Dan Lamaestra & One Step Up – Just A Thought (2006) [includes the Pieper composition, "The Red and the Black"]
Ginny Carr – After All These Years (2005)
Buck Hill – Relax (Severn Records, 2005)
The Joe Kap Organ Trio – Street Noise (Severn Records, 2004)
Ericka Ovette Sings with the Larry Eanet Quartet – Some Enchanted Evening (2002)
Highview – Awake Enough to Dream (2001)
Interplay – Pick Up the Pieces (JazzScapes, 2001) [includes the Pieper compositions, "Spider Monkey" & "Kineticism"]
Victor Dvoskin – There's A Small Hotel (2000) [includes the Pieper composition, "Pensées"]
Glass and Apples – Playing in the Dark EP (2000)
Charles Bubeck – Without Measure (1999)
Charles Bubeck Quartet – The Ventilator (1996)
The Tom Cunningham Orchestra – All The Cats Join In (1995)