Peter Pettinger was born in Peterborough in 1945. From an early age he was a keen pianist, and whilst his sights were always focussed on the classical repertoire, he also became much intrigued by the jazz music of Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. His classical training took place at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with pianist Vivian Langrish and composer Hugh Wood. He has since travelled extensively throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA. He is active in many fields, and composes and arranges for television, as well as playing jazz. His recordings include, for Chandos, the Elgar Violin Sonata and pieces, as well as ‘Strad Jazz’, an album of jazz standards; both are with Nigel Kennedy.