Guitarist and Bassist Peter Hennes

Peter Hennes began his career in Atlanta, playing guitar and bass with pop artists Del Shannon, the Shirelles, the Coasters, the Diamonds, and Herman's Hermits, as well singers Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Bernadette Peters, Nancy Wilson, and many others. He was also guitarist for the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Fox Theater Orchestra, Theater of the Stars Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony, and played with the touring productions of Broadway shows Evita, Grease, My One and Only, La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Pippin, and Big River. For six years, Peter co-led the progressive jazz group Future Reference.

Peter later moved to Chicago and enjoyed a thriving career as one of the city's top studio musicians, playing electric and acoustic guitars, bass, ukulele, dobro, mandolin, slide guitar, lap steel, and banjo on hundreds of national and international commercials. He also played with jazz sax great Richie Cole and rock musicians bassist Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones/Sting), guitarist Jeff Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan), and drummer Todd Sucherman (Styx). For fifteen years, Peter led the eleven piece Peter Hennes Orchestra at hundreds of weddings, parties, and corporate events.

He moved to the Detroit area in June 2021, and is available for lessons on guitar, ukulele, and bass or live gigs both solo and with groups in all styles.

"I was fortunate to be Peter’s student at Georgia State. He took a largely clueless but musically inspired young fellow and managed to give me the tools to make a living as a musician ever since. Not a day goes by that I don’t use material he taught me as a player and as an instructor. He is a great player and teacher! Thanks Pete!!" – Doug Kees. Newnan, Ga.

"Peter is a fantastic teacher! I studied with him for 4 years at Georgia State University, where he taught me not only the guitar but also Jazz Theory and Improvisation, and how to really play with other people. I have been teaching guitar now for 28 years, and I talk about Peter to my own students all the time. He has been a huge influence on my guitar playing and also as a person. I can’t recommend him enough!"- Howard Parks Guitarist and Instructor in Atlanta, GA.