Peter Huffaker is a versatile double bassist, electric bassist, and educator with more than five decades of professional performance experience. Since beginning his career in 1974, he has built a distinguished reputation as an orchestral musician, jazz performer, and teacher, performing across the United States and around the world.
As an orchestral bassist, Peter has performed under many of the world's leading conductors, including Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim, James Levine, James DePriest, and Aaron Copland. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Colorado Symphony, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, Britt Festival Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, where he has been a member since its inaugural concert.
Peter's career spans an extraordinary range of musical genres. He has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Bill Charlap, Bill Watrous, Kurt Elling, Michael Brecker, Stanley Turrentine, Dave Grusin, Steve Miller, Ben E. King, The Drifters, and Aymée Nuviola, among many others. He also toured nationally with the Broadway production of Les Misérables and has performed in venues ranging from major concert halls and stadiums to intimate private settings in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, New York, Nashville, Jerusalem, Prague, and Beijing.
An accomplished educator, Peter holds a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He also pursued advanced studies at DePaul University and has studied with many distinguished bassists and educators, including Abraham Luboff, Joseph Guastafeste, Rob Kassinger, Charlie Haden, Ray Brown, John Clayton, Todd Coolman, John Goldsby, and John Patitucci.
Throughout his career, Peter has remained deeply committed to music education. He has maintained a private teaching studio, served as a clinician and jazz camp instructor, and held a position as adjunct music faculty at Millikin University, inspiring generations of young musicians through his dedication to teaching and mentorship.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Peter retired from a successful career in the telecommunications industry in 2024, continuing to devote his time and passion to performance, education, and the vibrant musical community he has helped shape for over fifty years.