This week I had the pleasure of getting to know Croton resident and accomplished guitarist, Peter Calo. A man of many roles, Calo’s titles are almost as abundant as his talents. Far from being able to label this man solely as a guitarist, I could not fully exemplify the multi-faceted spectrum of Calo’s abilities without mentioning the fact that he is also a producer, songwriter, composer, performer, and recording artist (oh, and let’s not forget husband and father).
“I’m lucky that I play more than one role; that’s what keeps it interesting,” said Calo.
Now, rather than list off the multitude of magnificent projects Calo has taken on in the past, why don’t I instead tell you about something equally awesome that the über-talented musician will be doing in the near future.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, Calo, no stranger to the Peekskill music scene, will be returning to the downtown area to play the Bean Runner Café for his second time. With him for the night will be friends and fellow musicians, Rob Morsberger (piano, accordion and vocals), Chris Marshak (drums), and Dave Richards (bass).
Those who come out to the Bean Runner show can look forward to a two-set evening filled with a majority of original music written by Calo himself. This will include songs off his “Wired to the Moon” album, as well as new material that he has been busy recording at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock with drummer, Jerry Marotta. And while the guitarist says that he can’t guarantee any surprise guests for the evening, it is not unusual for other musicians to show up and join the jam.
“[Bean Runner] is a great place to play,” said Calo. “The owners, Ted and Drew, nailed it; you can see they really care about the arts. And they’re such cool laid back people… The Bean Runner and the Peekskill live music scene has become a destination point for the area. It’s wonderful. The last time we played a lot of musician friends came by and I invited them to sit in.”
A 40-year veteran of playing the guitar, Calo is in his mid-fifties and mostly self-taught. He credits the time he spent living in Boston as being a large influence to him musically.
“…Living in Boston with all the great music schools I got to play and learn from all the teachers and wonderful players,” said Calo.
In addition to the Boston music scene he embraced, the artist cites everyone from Shubert to Jay-Z as having inspired him, as well as those he has worked with personally.
“I love playing and listening to new music. I like it all. I’ve played a lot of styles… I’ve been influenced by different music in different parts of my life. I’m influenced by my friend Rob Morsberger because he’s such a great musician with such a caring attitude about everything he does. That inspires me. I like creative people. People of the moment whose “job” it is to create. Carly Simon, who I’ve worked with for over 15 years, is totally like that. She lives to create.”
For a small taste of the greatness that is Calo’s music, you can click on the following links to hear, “Takin’ A Sip,” and “The Way That You Look To Me” (performed live at the Town Crier in Pawling). You can also see Calo play live with Carly Simon (featuring John Forte & The Roots) on the Jimmy Fallon Show here.
To see Calo live for yourself, be at the Bean Runner, Sept. 10, at 7:30pm.
