Peter Erskine

Peter Erskine For the American artist, see Peter Erskine (artist). Peter Erskine (born June 5, 1954) is an American jazz drummer and composer living in Los Angeles who has been a session drummer, recording and touring with many famous jazz and rock artists, including Steely Dan, Weather Report, Steps Ahead and Kate Bush. Erskine also produces teaching materials, such as books, videos, and online content.

1

Biography

Erskine was born in Somers Point, New Jersey, U.S.[1] He began playing the drums at the age of four. He graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy[2] in Michigan, then studied percussion at Indiana University. His professional career started in 1972 when he joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra.[2] After three years with Kenton he joined Maynard Ferguson for two years. In 1978 he joined Weather Report,[2][3] joining Jaco Pastorius in the rhythm section. After four years and five albums with Weather Report and the Jaco Pastorius big band Word of Mouth, he joined Steps Ahead. His big band recordings with the Bob Mintzer Big Band are modern big band jazz/funk performances studied by many students of drums and drumming. Wayne Shorter, (left) and Peter Erskine (right) performing with

He was featured on Kate Bush's 2005 album Aerial, Weather Report (1981) where Erskine teamed with bass player Eberhard Weber. Diana Krall, Eliane Elias, Queen Latifah and Linda Ronstadt, as well as Scottish and Finnish Classical Orchestras, • 1987 Transition (Denon) have had Erskine perform as a featured musician. • 1988 Motion Poet (Denon) Erskine splits his time as a musician and that of a profes• 1989 Aurora (Denon) sor at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. • 1990 Big Theatre (Ah Um) In 1983, he performed on the Antilles Records release • 1991 Sweet Soul (Novus, reissued on Fuzzy Music) Swingrass '83.[4] • 1992 You Never Know (ECM)

In 2011 he appeared on stage at the Royal Opera House, London in the new opera Anna Nicole. [5]

• 1993 Time Being (ECM) • 1994 History of the Drum (Interworld)

2

Discography

2.1

• 1995 As It Is (ECM) • 1995 From Kenton to Now (w/ Richard Torres) (Fuzzy Music)

As leader

• 1982 Peter Erskine (Contemporary)

• 1998 Lava Jazz (Fuzzy Music) 1

2

2 DISCOGRAPHY • 1998 Behind Closed Doors, Vol. 1 (Fuzzy Music) • 1998 Juni (ECM)

• Benny Rides Again (1992) With Al Di Meola

• 2000 Live at Rocco (Fuzzy Music) • 2002 Badlands (Fuzzy Music) • 2003 Cologne (w/ Bill Dobbins and John Goldsby) (Fuzzy Music) • 2005 The Lounge Art Ensemble: Music for Moderns (Fuzzy Music)

2.2

As sideman

• Orange and Blue (1994) • The Infinite Desire (1998) With Yelena Eckemoff • Cold Sun (L & H Production, 2010) • Flying Steps (L & H Production, 2010) • Glass Song (L & H Production, 2013)

With John Abercrombie With Marty Ehrlich • Current Events (ECM, 1985) • Getting There (ECM, 1987)

• Relativity (1999)

• John Abercrombie / Marc Johnson / Peter Erskine With Eliane Elias (ECM, 1988) • November (ECM, 1992)

• A Long Story (1991)

• The Hudson Project (2000)

• Fantasia (1992)

With Warren Bernhardt • Warren Bernhardt Trio (1983) With Randy Brecker/Michael Brecker • Some Skunk Funk (2005) With Gary Burton

With Joe Farrell • Sonic Text (Contemporary, 1979) With Maynard Ferguson • Conquistador (1977) • New Vintage (1977) • Carnival (1978)

• Times Like These (GRP, 1988) • Reunion (GRP, 1989) • Cool Nights (GRP, 1991) With Kate Bush • Aerial (2004) With George Cables • Cables’ Vision (Contemporary, 1980) With Pino Daniele • Passi d'autore (2004) With Eddie Daniels

With Alessandro Galati • Jason Salad! (1997) With Jan Garbarek • StAR (ECM, 1992) With Giorgio • Party of the Century (2010) With Gordon Goodwin • Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band XXL (2003) With Don Grolnick

2.2

As sideman

• Hearts and Numbers (1985) • Weaver of Dreams (1990) With Joe Henderson • Relaxin' at Camarillo (Contemporary, 1979) With Bobby Hutcherson • Un Poco Loco (1979) With Marc Johnson • Bass Desires (ECM, 1985) • Second Sight (ECM, 1987) With Rickie Lee Jones • Flying Cowboys (1989) With Stan Kenton • National Anthems of the World (1972) • Birthday in Britain (1973) • 7.5 on the Richter Scale (1973) • Stan Kenton plays Chicago (1974) • Fire, Fury, and Fun (1974) With Diana Krall • The Look of Love (2002) • The Girl in the Other Room (2004)

3 • Funky Strut (1991) With Mike Mainieri • American Diary (1994) With Vince Mendoza • Start Here (1990) • Jazzpaña (1992) • Sketches (1993) With Bob Mintzer • Incredible Journey (1985) • Camouflage (1986) • Departure (1991) • I Remember Jaco (1991) • Quality Time (1998) With Joni Mitchell • Mingus (1979) • Both Sides Now (2000) With Jaco Pastorius • Word of Mouth (1981) • Twins I & II (1982) • Invitation (1983) • The Birthday Concert (1995)

With Rolf Kühn With Gary Peacock • Internal Eyes (2003)

• Guamba (ECM, 1987)

With Christof Lauer With Thomas Quasthoff • Christof Lauer (1989)

• Watch What Happens (2007)

With Nguyên Lê With Linda Ronstadt • Miracles (1996) • E_L_B (2004) • E_L_B - Dream Flight (2008) With Manhattan Jazz Quintet

• Hummin' to Myself (2004) With Steely Dan • Alive in America (1995)

4

5

With Mike Stern • Time in Place (1988) With Rod Stewart • Merry Christmas, Baby (2012)[6] With Steps Ahead • Steps Ahead (1983) • Modern Times (1984) • Magnetic (1986) With Christoph Stiefel

REFERENCES

3 Books • Time Awareness • The Erskine Method for Drumset • My Book • The Drum Perspective • Drum Concepts and Techniques

4 DVD • The Erskine Method for Drumset (Alfred Publishing Company)

• Ancient Longing (1994) With Richard Torres • From Kenton to Now (1995) With Ralph Towner • Open Letter (ECM, 1992) With Mark-Anthony Turnage/John Scofield • Scorched (2004) With Various Artists • Who Loves You: Tribute to Jaco Pastorius (2000)

Peter Erskine Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson

With Weather Report • Mr. Gone (1978) • 8:30 (1979) • Night Passage (1980) • Weather Report (1982) • This is This! (1986) • Live and Unreleased (2002) • Forecast: Tomorrow (2006) With Kenny Wheeler • Music for Large & Small Ensembles (ECM, 1990) • The Widow in the Window (ECM, 1990) With Joe Zawinul • Weather Update (2005)

5 References [1] Stewart, Zan. “Drummer Discovers Small Is Beautiful”, Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1993. Accessed November 19, 2013. “Last year, [Peter Erskine], along with bassist John Patitucci, traveled through the United States for a month with a threesome led by pianist Chick Corea. The Somers Point, N. J., native also worked in Italy and Spain as part of pianist Joey Calderazzo’s trio, then recorded on the latter’s upcoming Blue Note release.” [2] Wynn, Ron. “Peter Erskine: Biography”. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-04. [3] Wynn, Ron (2008-06-25). “Weather Report: Biography”. All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-06-04. [4] Allmusic review [5] “Anna Nicole Review”. The Guardian. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2011-02-18. [6] Liner notes

5

6

External links • Official website: Peter Erskine.com • Podcast featuring “Joy Luck” by Peter Erskine

6

7 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

7

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1

Text

• Peter Erskine Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Erskine?oldid=673529859 Contributors: Mav, Zenzee, D6, Redf0x, Merope, Alansohn, BVA, Lensovet, FayssalF, FlaBot, AllyD, YurikBot, Drumsac, SmackBot, Dr. Shaggeman, Lpgeffen, Mwtoews, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, RezaS, Optimale, Dreftymac, Courcelles, J Milburn, Cydebot, Woffie, Michaelas10, Richhoncho, Fisherjs, Chubbles, Emtren, ILaw, Waacstats, Airproofing, Cricket02, R'n'B, Johnpacklambert, VolkovBot, DISEman, Broadbot, Pjoef, Cosprings, Pschoenm, Æthelwold, Karaboom, Mr.Z-bot, Petzi1969, Werldwayd, Leahtwosaints, Kakofonous, Semitransgenic, WikHead, Mifter, Kbdankbot, Jyelland, Addbot, BWernham, Tassedethe, TheDethklokGuy, Yobot, Ogschem, FrescoBot, Dan8700, Pensativa, RjwilmsiBot, Nostalgic34, WikitanvirBot, Diego Grez Bot, Jcooper1, Blewit, CactusBot, MenkinAlRire, Khazar2, Dcmadden, VIAFbot, KasparBot and Anonymous: 61

7.2

Images

• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Peter-erskine.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Peter-erskine.jpg License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Hreinn Gudlaugsson • File:Peter_Erskine.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Peter_Erskine.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: Peter Erskine Michel Benita Original artist: gianky • File:Symbol_book_class2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Symbol_book_class2.svg License: CC BY-SA 2.5 Contributors: Mad by Lokal_Profil by combining: Original artist: Lokal_Profil • File:Wayne_Shorter_&_Peter_Erskine.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Wayne_Shorter_ %26_Peter_Erskine.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_hakkens/4635911785/in/ set-72157624128078190/ Original artist: Chris Hakkens

7.3

Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0