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 Peter
Erskine began playing the drums at the age of four, and has now been
at the forefront of world-class jazz ensembles for nearly now been
at the forefront of world-class jazz ensembles for nearly thirty years.
His first major professional work was with the Stan Kenton Orchestra,
which he joined in 1972. After a three year stint with Kenton and a
two year stay with Maynard Ferguson, he joined Weather Report in 1978.
The excellence of the partnership between Erskine and bassist Jaco
Pastorius was an integral part of that group's success.
Following his 4 years in Weather Report (having recorded five albums
with them including the Grammy Award winning "8:30"), he
began to play with Mike Brecker , Mike Mainieri and Eddie Gomez in
the group Steps Ahead . His other touring and recording credits (300
albums) include Steely Dan , Chick Corea , Joe Henderson , Freddie
Hubbard , Gary Burton & Pat Metheny , Joni Mitchell , Ralph Towner
, Sadao Watanabe , Hubert Laws , Eliane Elias , Miroslav Vitous and
Jan Garbarek ; music ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra ,
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra , The London Symphony Orchestra
, Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Ensemble , Ensemble Modern , the
ASKO and Avanti Ensembles ; "Bass Desires " (with John Scofield,
Bill Frisell, and Marc Johnson), the John Abercrombie Trio , the Kenny
Wheeler Quintet & Big Band , the Bob Mintzer Big Band , the Yellowjackets
as well as his own groups.
Peter has recorded twelve solo albums: "Peter Erskine", "Transition", "Motion
Poet", "Sweet Soul", "Big Theatre", and his
ECM recordings You Never Know, "Time Being", "As It
Is" and "Juni" as well as "History of the DRUM".
and "Behind Closed Doors" on his own label FUZZY MUSIC..
His latest playing ventures include The Lounge Art Ensemble (that group's
latest CD is titled "Lava Jazz" and a piano trio with Alan
Pasqua and Dave Carpenter; their double CD "Peter Erskine & Alan
Pasqua with David Carpenter - Live at Rocco" has gotten rave reviews
from the press and fans.
Besides touring and recording, Peter is now pursuing new avenues in
his career by composing for dance, theatre and animation. He has completed
musical scores for Shakespeare's King Richard II and A Midsummer Night's
Dream, the latter being honored by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle
with the award for the "Best Original Musical Score 1987." His
music for The American Conservatory Theatre's production of Twelfth
Night was awarded by the Bay Area Drama Critics' Circle as the "Best
Dra matic Score for 1989." His most recent works for this medium
are Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, the dance piece "History of the
Drum" (written for the Kokuma Dance Company of Birmingham, England),
and "The Yield of the Long Bond" for LA's "Matrix Theatre".
He has scored animation productions for the USA, Malaysia and Japan
and he is now the composer of music for the Simon & Schuster books-on-audio
series "Alien Voices", starring Leonard Nimoy and John deLancie
of Star Trek fame.
Peter Erskine is best known for his versatility and ardent love of
working in various musical settings. He began his career at the age
of 18 with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has since played with such
groups as Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Maynard Ferguson, Joni Mitchell,
Steely Dan and the Yellowjackets, not to mention recording over 300
albums. He has also won numerous awards for his work, including a Grammy,
the Modern Drummer Readers Poll, and an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree
from the Berklee School of Music. Peter currently keeps busy with his
Trio, which records for his own label Fuzzy Music, as well as making
guest appearances with such ensembles as the BBC Symphony Orchestra
and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
For more information on Peter Erskine, please visit his website www.petererskine.com
Equipment List:LP
Multi-Guiro, LP
Afuche/Cabasa, LP
Chimes, LP
Triangles, LP
Softshakes, LP
Flex-A-Tone, LP
Vibra Slap, LP
Ching Chok, LP
Jingle Sticks and LP
Jam Blocks
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