Peter has also established a reputation for versatility in his ability to sing in a wide variety of jazz styles, grooves, and tempos, with clarity and authenticity. Clinical psychologist by day, he has immersed himself in music by night, performing songs that evoke the full range of emotions involved in love relationships and the complexities of life. Peter has also been involved in choral music, enjoying the connectedness and power of the vocal ensemble in both classical and contemporary music. He is deeply interested in all forms of meaningful conversation, whether musical, verbal, or emotional.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from New York University, completed doctoral studies in clinical psychology at the University of Vermont, and moved to Ottawa, Ontario in 1998. With a background in clarinet and vocal performance, Peter has trained intensively in jazz since 2007, and he is dedicated to ongoing musical growth and development. He studies with Sharada Banman for jazz vocal coaching, and with Laurence Ewashko for classical voice training. Peter has attended the Jazzworks Summer Jazz Workshop four times between 2008 and 2014, where he worked closely with vocalists Sharada Banman, Julie Michels, and Christine Duncan, and he has engaged in intensive combo work with Toronto bassist Kieran Overs, and guitarists Kevin Barrett and Gary Elliott. In April 2012, Peter was chosen to participate in a masterclass with Peter Eldridge, of New York Voices fame, as part of the "Manhattan on the Rideau" series at the NAC Fourth Stage, and he has also taken lessons with jazz legends Sheila Jordan and Kitty Margolis.

Peter leads Bamboo Groove, the Peter Liu Combos, and he performs as special guest vocalist for other groups. His jazz combos play regularly at public and private events in across the Ottawa area, including restaurants and clubs, house concerts, Rideau Hall, the National Arts Centre's Fourth Stage, Ottawa's City Hall, and the Ottawa Convention Centre. Peter is also a core member of the Ewashko Singers, performing regularly at the National Arts Centre's Southam Hall and other distinguished venues. Bamboo Groove integrates East and West, through traditional and modern approaches to standards, jazz interpretations of Chinese pop songs, and Mandarin versions of jazz standards. The Peter Liu Combos are flexible combos in both size (Duo/Trio/Quartet/Quintet/Sextet) and instrumentation. With these groups, Peter leads and performs with a variety of Ottawa's finest musicians, playing selections of beautiful jazz to suit the needs of specific events and venues. Peter and his bands are available to perform for public concerts, weddings, dances, corporate functions, and private parties.

Peter was thrilled to make his debut with the Peter Liu Quintet at the 2013 Ottawa International Jazz Festival, and other recent highlights include performing for the JazzNhouse 2013-2014 concert series, and the 2014 Canadian Tulip Festival. Peter is very excited to the release of his upcoming debut CD "Bamboo Groove", with a launch concert at the NAC's Fourth Stage on Friday, October 3rd, 2014. He is also looking forward to performing with the Peter Liu Trio at Merrickville's 2014 Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 18, 2014.