Peter Noonan, born in Springfield, Illinois, began playing piano early in life. After he was shown basic chord structure by his older brother Patrick, Peter began performing original songs for his kindergarten class. Formal lessons and classical training followed, from first grade to college instruction with the late Veron Buckley. Music continued at college, studying music theory, advanced jazz, and other specialties in the music school of DePauw University while pursuing an economics degree.

Live performances were always a part of growing up, starting from playing in garage bands in middle school and high school. College was the debut of solo performances, where Noonan played solo piano for 1,400 folks on the stage of Kresge Hall for DePauw’s parents day, and performed at DePauw’s annual campus wide talent show and competition, winning 1st-place all three years he entered.

A career in banking in St. Louis followed upon graduation from DePauw. After a couple of years of focus on banking, Peter missed the piano and began spending significant time creating expressive piano movements and patterns. By 1988, these movements had become songs that he felt needed to be recorded.

Peter recorded these songs using vacation time from the bank, and his debut CD, “Café at Arles,” emerged.Key to his concept for his debut was that it was all recorded live in the studio, with no overdubs or additions, reflecting the craft of what one person can do at one time, with just two hands and an instrument.

“Café at Arles” was released in 1990 to critical praise. New Progressive Music Journal wrote that Peter “composes piano music that paints memories and atmosphere with such beauties as Vincent van Gogh exhibited in his paintings…” St. Louis Magazine noted, “ the compact disc is no remake of George Winston’s seasons. It’s a driving, private memoir, blending nostalgia with the passion of the present. The piano dives, dips, hesitates, then plunges…”

Through the early 1990’s, “Café at Arles” was building a loyal following of new and repeat customers through both small record stores and mail order. During this period, Peter already was writing songs that possessed more of the dynamics and energy of his live performances. These became the heart of his 1995 release “The Orchard,” an eclectic mix that includes more rhythmic influences than the calmer “Café at Arles.”

On the release of “The Orchard,” Peter then took a big plunge – a leave of absence from his banking, to build the direct mail order side of his music business. While preparing for his holiday concert that year, Peter began reworking some traditional holiday songs, which became the 1996 release “Tis the Season.” He went on to perform ten solo piano concerts at St. Louis’s historic Sheldon Concert Hall from 1996 to 2000.

In 1997 Peter began collaborating with brother Patrick on a project of that would feature Patrick on guitar, brother Chris Noonan on drums, Peter on piano, and a host of other guest artists. While they were composing and arranging the material, their cousin Scott McKinley was killed in an auto accident at the age of 40. The ensuing recording, “Scott’s Red Star,” was dedicated in his honor, with the cover art showcasing one of Scott’s paintings. The recording includes an eclectic blend of originals influenced by jazz, folk, rock and world music, alongside instrumental standards such as “Afro Blue” and “Summertime,”

In 2001 Peter started his journey into family life. It was also time to return to the traditional workforce, this time specializing in historic preservation, tax credits, and legislative advocacy. Pete completed “The Wedding Dance” in 2001, once again using vacation time to get to the recording studio. This CD was a new direction, as it was almost all cover songs, many of which had been performed at his Sheldon performances.

Peter expects to return to studio and stage again soon, having already blocked out his next two album sessions!

Peter T. Noonan appears on: