Biography

Peter Guidi (1949-2018) was a jazz musician whose main instruments were flute, alto and bass flute, alto and soprano saxophones. But his most important achievement and legacy will always be his role as teacher and conductor of various big bands in the Muziekschool Amsterdam.

“Jazz is fun, but serious fun”, was his motto.

Born in Scotland of Italian parents, Peter Guidi is a self-taught musician. He began his musical career in Italy where he went on to play with many leading jazz musicians and performed in major Jazz Festivals including Umbria Jazz Festival, the Aosta Jazz Festival, the Jazz Festival of Pescara and the Padova Porsche Jazz Festival.

After moving to Holland he has performed in many national jazz festivals including several appearances at the North Sea Jazz Festival with both his quartet and big bands. He became head of the jazz department of the Muziekschool Amsterdam where he lead several ensembles and big band workshops for students of all ages, beginning with students as young as nine years of age. These bands include the Jazz Kidz, Jazz Juniors, Jazz Generation, Junior Jazz Unlimited, Jazz Focus Big Band, and Jazz Mania Big Band. He also was co-founder of the Junior Jazz College, a collaboration between the Muziekschool Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Jazz Conservatory. Since the Jazz Department began in 1988 his bands have won a total of 83 prizes in national and international competitions.

Peter Guidi is author of a two volume flute teaching method: ‘The Jazz Flute’.

In 2008 Peter Guidi co-founded the first edition of the Netherland National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NJJO) which has become as established bi-annual event. 

In 2010 Peter Guidi was awarded a Dutch Knighthood for his pioneering work in jazz education in the Netherlands.

In 2018, Peter was diagnosed with the rare disease Creutzfeld-Jakob. He died on the 17th of April. Only 3 days before, his students had brought him a farewell serenade under his window.