Austin Peralta, Jazz Piano Phenom, Dead at 22

By Sean J. O'Connell Thu., Nov. 22 2012 at 11:22 AM

Categories: Jazz

Jazz pianist Austin Peralta died yesterday, at age 22.

The son of Venice Beach skateboarding legend Stacy Peralta, his iconoclastic lineage gave him a unique perspective, with his long blonde hair more reminiscent of the boardwalk than the practice room.

Nonetheless, Peralta was a regular presence on Southern Californian piano benches, popping up on short notice with his band in a Westside lounge, as part of Kamasi Washington's double-barreled ensemble in a well-amplified club or the occasional pick-up gig including an appearance the night he died.

He also worked with Flying Lotus, who announced Peralta's passing on his twitter account early this morning:

it kills me to type that we lost a member of our family, Austin Peralta. I don't really have the right words right now.

On Tuesday night, Peralta lent spiraling keyboards to vocalist Natasha Agrama's passionate performance at the Blue Whale, pulling off articulate runs and sensitive accompaniment behind a set list that ranged from Bjork to Mingus. He was often featured as the lone instrumental voice alongside Agrama, highlighting his deft touch with nary a note out of place as he worked his incomparable magic. He appeared joyous and playful that night, both on the bandstand and between sets.

Now, for most of us, that magic will be confined to the handful of albums he left behind. Last year, Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder label released Peralta's Endless Planets, a record we gladly placed on our top five jazz records of the year. It was a psychedelic trip through pulsating soul that, alongside Thundercat's the Golden Age of Apocalypse (on which Peralta also played) heralded something truly fantastic and new. Peralta had moved far beyond teenage phenom and into a sound that resonated with promise and originality, giving hope to the future of the Los Angeles jazz scene.

Now only great "what ifs" remain as he will always be preserved in boyish youth and limitless potential. A truly devastating loss.

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teenertot

I have known Austin his entire life. Austin's Dad Stacy, his Uncle Craig, and I have been BFF's since Birth growing up across the street from each other, where Austin's Grandma and I still live. I am in total shock and disbelief, and Austin's Family is completely grief stricken! PLEASE GIVE THEM SOME PRIVACY and refrain from speculating on what may or may not have happened to Austin! The cause is unknown at this time, and when it is known there will be a statement made! Keep Austin's Family in your prayers, he was loved very much, and we are all grieving his loss!

veronica77777

Rest in Peace, Austin.

Austin possessed once-in-a-lifetime talent. He was asolutely amazing.

Can somebody please let us know what happened to? LA Weekly, please? People all over the world are asking about him in several languages.

Healing & love to friends & family at this very sad loss to the world, & the music that plays in outer universe of energy somewhere Austin now resides.

Thinline72

@veronica77777

My nephew is a friend of Austin's and it is believed to be either suicide or accidental OD

birdie2

@Thinline72 @veronica77777 I don't believe the suggestion of suicide one bit, it coluld have been carbon monoxide poisioning for all anyone knows or he had a blood clot or unknown heart condition. Back off and give the family and friends some space. Unless someone gave him drugs and knows that did it...but...so, have they confessed and if so, who is it? Of course not. I feel horrible for him, as he clearly loved his life and so many loved him in ours. Just tragic.