Pete Orenstein

Pete Orenstein started playing piano when he was four years old. He never made a conscious decision to become a musician; it just came naturally to him. Jimmy Smith, Lonnie Smith, Fela Kuti, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Billy Joel, Genesis, Bruce Hornsby, Grateful Dead, Phish, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarret, Jimi Hendrix and Michel Camilo have held places in his development. He has a distinct passion for philosophy, physics and world religions, especially with regards to music and mystic theology. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music.

Pete sincerely feels that "Every show has to be better and different than the last. The most important thing is sharing the energy with the crowd—putting out what I feel and getting back the audience’s reaction—seeing in their faces what I had in my mind.”

The “Hammond Hybrid” that Pete plays was developed with Gary Eddinger (Greg Allman, John Lords), producing a Hammond Organ capable of sturdy and easy transport while still maintaining the amazing Hammond sound through a Leslie 145, along with a synthesizer keyboard on top. Pete’s instrument is the breath of any band, and the reserved gaze peeking out from under his bolo hat cannot hide the playful glint in his eyes as he conjures up energetic magic. Pete’s delivery is powerful and dramatic—it’s been said that he “plays like he owes somebody money.” The strength of his performance and depthful vocal style are accented by strong songwriting sensibilities. His wife, Kristen, contributes many of his lyrics.

Pete has played, performed and recorded with many southern regional bands, including Blueground Undergrass led by the Rev. Jeff Mosier; Kynda; Sonar; Toni Brown; the Legendary J.C.’s; Bluesberry Jam; Wellville; Greg Eyma; Universal Studios Brass Band; Squeezeable Hugo; Bonobos Jazz Ensemble; Umoja and Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead.

“Organist Pete Orenstein throws sparks like a grand wizard.”
Orlando City Beat