Peter Dasent, Pianist / Play School / The Umbrellas

Peter Dasent, Pianist / Play School / The Umbrellas

From The Keyboard Chronicles by David Holloway

May 14, 2026 · Season 1 · Episode 186

About this episode

David Holloway interviews pianist Peter Dasent about his extensive career in music, including his work on Play School and with The Umbrellas.

Peter Dasent is an incredibly versatile pianist, composer, and musical director best known for his long tenure as the resident keyboardist on ABC’s Play School, a role he has held for over two decades. While he is well known for his daily on-set improvisations for children, his impressive resume also includes leading his chamber-jazz ensemble The Umbrellas for over 30 years, as well as composing soundtracks for early Peter Jackson films like Meet The Feebles and Heavenly Creatures. We chat with Peter about that amazing history, his approach to playing and composing across so many different genres, and lots more. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab): The iconic, and Cookie Monster endorsed, Play School, turns 60 Peter’s musical upbringing Forming SPATS alongside Fane Flaws SPATS – New Wave Goodbye Joining The Crocodiles alongside the brilliant Jenny Morris The Crocodiles – Telephone Lover The very interesting Kim Fowley Peter’s…

People in this episode

Host: David Holloway

Guest: Peter Dasent

Topics covered

  • Peter Dasent's career
  • Play School
  • The Umbrellas
  • film composition
  • musical genres
  • improvisation

Keywords

  • Peter Dasent
  • Play School
  • The Umbrellas
  • film composition
  • improvisation
  • chamber-jazz
  • music career

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC, The Umbrellas

Books & works: Play School, Meet The Feebles, Heavenly Creatures, SPATS, The Crocodiles, I Am Joe’s Music

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