Peter Phippen, World Flute Specialist

Concert Benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association
Friday October 23, 7:30 PM
Trillium Yoga Center, 25 Market St., Potsdam
Admission – $12

When Peter called me a few days ago and said that he wanted to play here, I was thrilled. I met Peter only through an email introduction from a mutual friend so his call was out of the blue. I have always liked the kind of ethereal music he plays, but his version is some of the best. He refers to his approach as “experiential,” but this term falls short. He draws on a number of folk traditions to create music that bridges the space between earth and spirit.

Like so many of the musicians who have played here, he is a native son, growing up only a few miles from here. And like so many of the musicians who have grew up here, Peter left the area to make ends meet as a professional musician. Thankfully, the community hasn’t left his heart and he returns to bring his music to us. In the past, he has played at SUNY Potsdam and twice at the Norwood Village Green as well as touring elementary and high schools in the region.

As I was putting the concert together, I thought this would be a perfect fit for the new Trillium Yoga Center in Potsdam. I contacted Shannon Miller, Jeanne Benvenuto and Teri de la Vega and they were thrilled to host the event. Another connection is that the Yoga Center is located in the building that once housed Northern Music where Peter was once a regular customer. I will miss hosting, but the stars were clearly aligned!

In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Bio

Grammy Award nominee and four-time Native American Music Award nominee, Peter Phippen is a nationally and internationally respected world flute specialist, recording artist, scholar, educator, and producer. In his approach to world flute performance, he is an experiential, natural folk musician with a penchant for creative and artistic musical improvisation.

Currently, two of his songs, “Night Song” and “Lullabye,” were featured on the Digital Download Compilation, “Native American Flute Music for Meditation” released on Canyon Records of Phoenix, Arizona. As of Sept. 22nd, 2015 “Native American Flute Music for Meditation” is #48 on iTunes World Music.</div>

Critical Acclaim

“Traditionally, the Native American flute has a sound that could be characterized as haunting. Few flutists, however, bring as much warmth and richness to a single tone as Peter Phippen does. His playing is earthy, improvised and impressionistic, offering listeners a beautifully serene atmosphere for meditation and reflection.” – Music Design

“Like a call in the wild, the alluring, soothing, hypnotic tones of the wind instruments lulled and enchanted.” – Dunn County News, Menomonie, Wisconsin

“Phippen’s tune, Lascaux is a shaman’s dream.” – RJ Lannan Zone Music Reporter