Jeanne Arland Peterson

Jeanne Arland Peterson (circa 1922 - June 23, 2013) was an American singer and pianist who was considered by some the "first lady of jazz" in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.[1] She was inducted into two Minnesota halls of fame.

Early years

The daughter of a father and mother who were both pianists, Peterson was born in Minneapolis, She began playing piano by ear at age 3 and later took lessons "to learn the names of the chords she had been playing."[2] When she was 15, she had two part-time jobs—playing sheet music at Dayton's department store and singing in bars with a group that included her brother.[2]

Peterson was a graduate of North High School in St. Paul.[3]

Career

Peterson's early professional experience came as a singer on radio station WCCO, where she performed for 20 years, and on television stations WCCO and KSTP, all in Minneapolis-St. Paul.[2] In the early 1940s, she was the featured female vocalist with Sev Olsen's orchestra.[4]

Although pianist Marian McPartland and others encouraged Peterson to move to New York City to advance her career, she chose to stay in the Twin Cities and raise her children, even turning down a job offer from the leader of a big band.[2]

After Peterson's husband died on the opening day of the Minnesota Twins' 1969 season, she took his place playing the organ for the team's home games. She also took over the booking agency that he had run and began singing for pay at parties and other social events.[2]

In the early 1990s, Peterson and daughter Patty performed as a jazz duet, primarily at the Dakota Bar & Grill in St. Paul. They recorded an album in 1992.[5]

Personal life

Peterson was married to Willie Peterson, who was a bandleader, booking agent, and pianist. They had six children,[2] five of whom.became professional musicians.[1] He died in 1969.[2]

Death

On June 23, 2013, Peterson died at a nursing home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, at age 91.[6]

Recognition

In 1992, Peterson was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.[7] That was followed by her 2005 induction into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.[8]

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References
  1. "Jon Bream's Top 40". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. September 1, 2015. p. E 4. Retrieved November 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Petersons/ The musical talent's in all the family". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. May 10, 1992. p. 2 F. Retrieved November 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "The Early Bird". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. December 19, 1940. p. 22. Retrieved November 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Sev Olsen's Band Recalled to Lowry". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. April 2, 1942. p. 24. Retrieved November 28, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Notes from Mom". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. May 10, 1992. p. 1 F. Retrieved November 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Ross, Raihala (June 23, 2013). "Twin Cities jazz matriarch Jeanne Arland Peterson dies at 91". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  7. "Jeanne Arland Peterson". Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  8. "Jeanne Arland Peterson". Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
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