Peter Friestedt

The Swedish westcoast connection ....

Peter Friestedt was born in 1973 and in Strömstad, Sweden. His interest for music was at a young age and when he was 10 years old he played the piano and 5 years later he began to play guitar.

After the school Peter Friestedt studied at various Music Conservatories in Sweden (Gothenbourg Jazz Academy, Skurup Music Conservatory, and the Haparanda Music Conservatory) and in 1998 at the age of 26, he decided to continue his studies in the United States at the Los Angeles Music Academy, under the instruction of department head Frank Gambale and his guitar staff.

His stay in Los Angeles was the beginning of his L.A. Project. At the LAMA (Los Angeles Music Acedemy) he was introduced to many L.A. musicians and Peter Friestedt graduated from the Los Angeles Music Academy in excellent academic standing. He was one of four students, coached by the legendary drummer Ralph Humphrey and LAMA guitar instructor Bill Fowler, who received recognition for first place in the 2000 Cal State Los Angeles University Jazz Competition

At his stay at LAMA many people were impressed by the music that Peter Friestedt wrote and Michael Shapiro (drummer, producer) the headmaster at LAMA wanted to record his music and helped with contacts to different musicians. So with Michael Shapiro and Ralph Humphrey a lot of doors were open and the LA Project could begin.

Peter Friestedt was introduced to Bill Champlin (Chicago), Michael Ruff and Bill Cantos. Right away he began to write music with these guys. The songs: "Livin´In Your Eyes", "Time To Play" & "Take A Little Chance" is co-written by Bill Champlin, the song "Peace Of Mind" is made with help from Bill Cantos and "Only Prayer" is made together with Michael Ruff.

The album "The LA Project" is a brilliant album with very west coast funky songs, and a all-star lineup to back Peter Friestedt up. 9 songs played and recorded together with: Bill Champlin (Chicago), Michael Ruff, Joseph Williams (ex-Toto), Bill Cantos, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Shapiro, Russell Ferrrante (Yellowjackets), Jeff Richman, Ralph Humphrey, Brandon Fields, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), Sharon Perry, Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets) & Stefan Gunnarsson.

In Sweden, Peter is also active on the musicscene and he has performed with gospel artist Per-Eric Hallin, jazz-funk giant Nils Landgren, The Buddy Rich Tribute Big Band, as well as his own Peter Friestedt Group.

Read more about Peter Friestedt at his website or at Border Music.

Peter Friestedt -
The LA Project
"Interesting project from Peter Friedstedt"
The Tracks are: Livin´In Your Eyes, Peace Of Mind, Only Prayer, Got To Find It, Time To Play, All Alone, Take A Little Chance, Storyteller & Peace Of Mind II.
Musicians on the The LA Project album: Peter Friedstedt, Bill Champlin, Jimmy Haslip, Michael Shapiro, Jeff Richman, Bill Cantos, Abraham Laboriel, Ralph Humphrey, Michael Ruff, Brandon Fields, Joseph Williams, Stefan Gunnarsson, Russell Ferrante, Sharon Perry, Bob Mintzer & L.A. Project Horn.
Available from Border Music/Original release year: 2002

 

Peter Friestedt -
The LA Project
"International release of the L.A. Project album"
The Tracks are: Livin´In Your Eyes, Peace Of Mind, Only Prayer, Got To Find It, Time To Play, All Alone, Take A Little Chance, Storyteller & Peace Of Mind II.
Musicians on the The LA Project album: Peter Friedstedt, Bill Champlin, Jimmy Haslip, Michael Shapiro, Jeff Richman, Bill Cantos, Abraham Laboriel, Ralph Humphrey, Michael Ruff, Brandon Fields, Joseph Williams, Stefan Gunnarsson, Russell Ferrante, Sharon Perry, Bob Mintzer & L.A. Project Horn.
Available from BMG Music/Original release year: 2004

 

Peter Friestedt -
The LA Project II
"6 years after the first release"
The Tracks are: Where To Touch You, Cheyenne, One More Night, There Ain´t Nothin´(Wings Of Joyful Thinkin´), Love Is Gonna Getcha, Closer To Home, Always On My Mind (Bonus Track), Love Is A Powerful Thing, Careless Mockingbird & Waiting For You.
Musicians on the LA Project II album: Peter Friedstedt, Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams, Randy Goodrum, Michael Ruff, Abraham Laboriel, Bill Cantos, Lou Pardini, John "JR" Robinson, Stefan Gunnarsson, Tris Imboden, Wojtec Goral, Magnus Johansson, Tommy Denander, Ingemar Aberg, Tobias Marberger, Henrik Rongedal, Anders Ojebo, Scandinavian Strings, Kristoffer Lagerstrom, Olivia Ruff & Thomas Bergesen.
Available from Zink Music/Original release year: 2008

 

Peter Friestedt -
The LA Project II
"Japanese release"
The Tracks are: Where To Touch You, Cheyenne, One More Night, There Ain´t Nothin´(Wings Of Joyful Thinkin´), Closer To Home, Love Is Gonna Getcha, Love Is A Powerful Thing, Careless Mockingbird & Waiting For You.
Musicians on the LA Project II album: Peter Friedstedt, Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams, Randy Goodrum, Michael Ruff, Abraham Laboriel, Bill Cantos, Lou Pardini, John "JR" Robinson, Stefan Gunnarsson, Tris Imboden, Wojtec Goral, Magnus Johansson, Tommy Denander, Ingemar Aberg, Tobias Marberger, Henrik Rongedal, Anders Ojebo, Scandinavian Strings, Kristoffer Lagerstrom, Olivia Ruff & Thomas Bergesen.
Available from Vivid/Original release year: 2008

Peter Friestedt -
The LA Project
"Re-release of the debut album with bonus tracks"
The Tracks are: Livin´In Your Eyes, Peace Of Mind, Only Prayer, Got To Find It, Time To Play, All Alone, Take A Little Chance, Storyteller, Peace Of Mind II, Crusin (Demo), Livin´ In Your Eyes (Alternate), Peace Of Mind (Live) & Take A Little Chance (Instrumental).
Musicians on the The LA Project album: Peter Friedstedt, Bill Champlin, Jimmy Haslip, Michael Shapiro, Jeff Richman, Bill Cantos, Abraham Laboriel, Ralph Humphrey, Michael Ruff, Brandon Fields, Joseph Williams, Stefan Gunnarsson, Russell Ferrante, Sharon Perry, Bob Mintzer & L.A. Project Horn.
Available from Zink Music/Original release year: 2010

 

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