Austin Peralta

Jazz pianist and composer Austin Peralta was a technically adroit improviser with a bent toward post-bop and expansive modal jazz. Born in Los Angeles, California, Peralta was the son of noted skateboarder and filmmaker Stacy Peralta. A piano prodigy, Peralta began taking piano lessons at age six and later studied with such luminaries as jazz pianist Alan Pasqua and saxophonist Buddy Collette. At age 13, Peralta won the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Shelley Manne New Talent Award. In 2006, at age 16, he released his debut album, Maiden Voyage, featuring bassist Ron Carter. Also that same year, he released the album Mantra with bassist Buster Williams, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, and others. In 2011, Peralta released Endless Planets on Brainfeeder. Tragically, Peralta died of undisclosed causes on November 21, 2012. He was 22 years old.