Peter Dominguez – Bassist and Educator

Peter Dominguez, Solo Bass

Bass Salute

Bass Salute to Richard Davis, Milt Hinton, Lucas Drew, Israel Lopez Cachao, Bob Gladstone, Ron Carter, Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Roger Ruggeri, Eddie Gomez, Rufus Reid, Buster Williams, the International Society of Bassists, the Richard Davis Foundation, and the Milt Hinton Institute. All these important associations and influences have inspired and guided my journey. This collection of songs honors everyone holding up the bass salute, tuning those half steps spacings & formations, while sitting comfortably in an eternal pocket.

Bass Regards, Peter

Peter Dominguez, Solo Bass

Groove Dreams

Late bassist Milt Hinton is celebrated for a stage and studio career that intersected with countless legendary musicians – from Dizzy Gillespie and Cab Calloway to Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson – for an incredible seven decades. Groove Dreams, a new recording by versatile bassist Peter Dominguez, honors Hinton’s legacy with solo bass tunes from artists as varied as Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Bill Evans, and Chick Corea. Performed on the 18th-century Italian bass Hinton played throughout his career, each song explores the nuances and deep colors of the instrument – qualities not always discernible in ensemble playing.”

"The album certainly confirms just how talented Dominguez is as he plucks his way through grooves and varied tempos creating a rich tapestry of sonic textures with only one instrument, His ability to go slow or fast is something to behold."

....."Dominguez proves to be a dynamic presence and a masterful arranger throughout, Hinton's instrument's sound rings clear and true at every turn, and there's nary a lull of activity of creativity across these ten tunes. Solo bass dates are often a tough sell, but this one isn't. Groove Dreams hits all the right makes and holds attention from beginning to end"

..."Dominguez is no stranger to chordal harmony and intervallic playing- he manages the task boldly in many of the arrangements without any bass trickery, Even more impressive is his ability to balance the role of accompanist and soloist in the same moment, easily finding ways to leave space so he can support his own ideas. .....His musical priorities are clear: playing with integrity and preserving the essence of a song, playing with clear and well intonated sound, and making choices based on musical architecture and orchestration. ...This disc is a welcome addition to the canon of solo bass repertoire, and a highly enjoyable listen."

"...aided by Peter Dominguez'z soulful walking bass; reaching all the way down to the deepest recesses of the tune's dense groove; wringing out every drop of sweet , funky blues. The fever of the blues is less palpable (Liam's Leaving) during passionate , witty exchanges between Dominguez and Rzepka, that highlight in-the-moment, creative, thought-composing strengths materializing out of the speed of light ideas from both artists. Dominguez's responses are especially imaginative and flexible, with rock steady , on the beat pulse that embodies a silk-like smoothness which has carried his signature throughout the date. "

Peter Dominguez grew up in Milwaukee, and began perfoming with the Music for Youth Orchestras and his father; pianist and vocalist Frank DeMiles. Peter went on to study with Roger Ruggeri and Richard Davis at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and with Dr Lucas Drew at the University of Miami. He served as Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at Michigan State University from 1984-96, and continued studies with Robert Gladstone while substituting with the Detroit Symphony. The former Principal Bass with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the American Sinfonietta, Peter was Professor of Jazz Studies and Double Bass 1990-2020 at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He is currently Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. He continues to perform with an impressive array of Classical, Jazz, and Latin artists throughout the Americas and Europe. His teaching includes national and international classes, adjudication of international competitions, artistic direction of the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassist Inc annual conference in Madison Wisconsin, and the director of the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass. Peter’s recordings include How About This (2010) and Groove Dreams (2017) performed on Milt Hinton’s famous 1790 bass. Another solo recording entitiled Bass Salute ( 2023) featuring Richard Davis’s 1855 Lion Head double bass.

"For the listener to have a 'SOUND' experience, we as players need to create feeling in the music to cause sensation. The Feeling comes from Belief in what you Know, and that Knowledge has Attachment to something greater than oneself."

Bassist / Educator

Peter Dominguez, Solo Bass

Bass Salute

Peter Dominguez, Solo Bass

Groove Dreams

"For the listener to have a 'SOUND' experience, we as players need to create feeling in the music to cause sensation. The Feeling comes from Belief in what you Know, and that Knowledge has Attachment to something greater than oneself."

-PJD