Peter Nero

Artist Website

SHORT BIO:

This year marks the 56th anniversary of the birth of Peter Nero’s recording career, which eventually produced 70 recordings. In 1960 he was signed to a three-year contract with RCA Victor records, which was then renewed for another five years, producing more than 26 LPs, including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Piano Concerto in F with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. The following year, he was honored with his first Grammy Award, as “Best New Artist of the Year.”

In January 2013 pianist and conductor Peter Nero was awarded a Certificate by the President of the Philadelphia City Council honoring his outstanding lifetime musical achievements, and recognizing his innumerable contributions to the arts and culture in Philadelphia as an award-winning pianist and the founding conductor and Artistic Director of the world renowned Peter Nero and the Philly POPS orchestra.

In October 2009 Peter Nero was also honored with lifetime achievement awards from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Philadelphia Musicians’ Union Local 77, AFM. He also received the Mario Lanza Award, in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music, in November 2009.

“If the perfect pops conductor could be conjured, … he might answer to this description,” wrote Philadelphia Inquirer music critic Peter Dobrin: “Huge talent with polymath abilities and catholic tastes. Musician who actually enjoys giving audiences what they want. Plays piano like a dream. … [H]e might look something like Peter Nero.”