Peter Biedermann has been playing guitar, composing and performing live since 1977. He has also played numerous styles of music in various bands, most notably the band PING. PING started out as an instrumental guitar duo with Ian Smit in 1984. The idea then, as it is now, was to combine acoustic and electronic elements and create electro-acoustic soundscapes originally developed by the likes of Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell, David Torn and many other lesser known pioneers of ambient musical sound structures. The majority of the material played during this period was original with the occasional obscure cover thrown in. The duo performed between 1985 to 1990. A recording capturing two of the original tunes was completed in early 1987 and was produced by David Torn. This recording is available on cassette only.
Phase II of PING started up in early 1991. The addition of Joe Lentine on drums, electronic percussion and samples moved the band into a larger spectrum of sound production and performance. The trio attempted to bridge the gap left in the wake of the electric Miles Davis / Tony Williams Lifetime / Mahavishnu Orchestra spirit of the late 60's / early 70's as well as continuing experiments with the aforementioned ambient soundscaping. Again, the main thrust was original music with a sprinkling of covers. The trio performed live between 1992 to 2001. A self titled recording was completed in 1993 / 1994 and is currently unavailable.
Beginning in the summer of 2000, the main focus shifted to writing, performing and recording solo guitar pieces; many incorporating a hybrid style combining fingerstyle acoustic via six and twelve string guitars with electronic ambient soundscapes in real time. The music was an extension of the original concept that beghan in 1977 albeit without the rhythmic intensity associated with PING. Three recordings highlighting this phase of development are documented on Sound & Spirit (2000), In Theory (2001) and The Learning Curve (2001). All of these recordings are currently available on CD on this website.
The summer of 2002 brought forth the incorporation of rhythmic elements via real time drumming as well as sampled drum loops courtesy of Colin Biedermann. The music written during this period harkened back to phase II PING, albeit with more modern electronic processing equipment. The results were documented on three recordings...White Magick (2002), Centerpoint (2004), and Live (2004). All of these recordings are available on CD as well.
2005 brought yet another phase of development with the addition of Jim Stagnitto on trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards and laptop electronics. Colin B. also has updated his approach to rhythmic and electronic manipulation by utilizing laptop programming. The new ensemble is now producing music under the banner "White Light". Two recordings documenting their work were released last year "Definitely" (2005) and "White Light - Live" (2005).
White Light continued to forge ahead in 2006 with the addition of drummer / percussionist Steve Meltzer and occasionally Steve Peckman on sax / EWI. Both musicians also perform in a wonderful ensemble fronted by my good friend Ian Smit called Monkeyworks http://monkeyworksmusic.com/ One live recording documenting the more experimental leanings of the group...culled from various shows in 2006...was released that year as "White Light...Live...Coming To A Theater Near You"
