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MEMORY LANE:

Check these out:

... the above Polaroid proof was taken the 2nd day I rehearsed with Weather Report, back in June of 1978 in Hollywood, California.

My first tour with the band, this shot was taken at concert's end in Tokyo, June 1978.

Who's this? (that's Jaco, my then-future wife Mutsy, and Joe Z)

Here's a shot of the band after a concert in Paris, France, taken in September of 1978, I believe (+, that's Stan Getz on the far left of the photo).

... same tour/Europe '78

... a couple of shots I took in Cuba, 1979, at the "Bay of Gigs" (Havana Jam)

(above) Jaco w/ Stan Getz ... (below) Zawinul & Jaco

... Jaco & Peter, a few years later, in Florida (circa 1983 or '84, I believe).

Sadly, Jaco's gone, but his music loves on! The music world lost another great musician recently: the composer Michel Colombier. Here are a couple of fun shots I took of Michel and Jaco on a hotel balcony in Hollywood back in 1978, I believe. This was just after Jaco had worked on Michel's album that's titled, simply, "Michel Colombier." Beautiful music, with some stunning Jaco playing (on tracks with Steve Gadd; I also got to play on the album). Two other Colombier albums of note: his legendary and groundbreaking opus "Wings," plus "Old Fool Back On Earth," and dozens of film scores.

Life on the road. (Tokyo)

... same pose, in front of my old dormitory at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan. And going back a bit further in time ...

Me when I was six, with my teacher Johnny Civera. That's my father's hand holding the bass drum from slipping (extreme left of picture); AND, that's a red sparkle Gretsch round badge kit from the 50's ... my Dad painted the front head, and my mom made the snazzy tuxedo.

... the recording of the Badlands album ...

For the follow-up album to our first recording "Live at Rocco," the Trio wanted to capture the growth of the band ... a growth which has resulted in freer expression, more interplay between us than ever before,and a higher level of abstract thinking. And all of this manifested by a new minimalism! ... or, perhaps, a relaxation ... or maybe, an appreciation for the beauty to be found in small things...

[For a complete discussion of the recording, please visit the CDs Books Videos & Reviews page]

Meanwhile, here's a copy of the eview which recently appeared in the Los Angeles Times, written by Don Heckman:

"The long-term relationship of these three veteran artists shows in every beautifully integrated note of this superb album. At first glance, the trio seems to have taken on a somewhat daunting task--in terms of audience receptivity--by offering a program consisting almost exclusively of originals by the members. (The sole exception is the standard "You and the Night and the Music.")
     But the selections--five by Pasqua, two each by Erskine and Carpenter--unfold with such engaging musicality and the performance level is so high that any question regarding the unfamiliarity of the material becomes irrelevant. The interaction amng the three players is stunning, with Erskine's percussion and Carpenter's bass work serving as integral musical elements rather than simple rhythmic accompaniment.
     The pieces have distinctly atmospheric qualities. Several of pianist Pasqua's works--especially "Surrender" and "Daddy, What Is God's Last Name" (with the latter sounding in places like a melodic inversion of the former)--resonate with classical references. At its best, the playing, individually and collectively, is a definitive model of how far this classic instrumentation has come since the days of the Bill Evans trios."

THANK YOU, DON HECKMAN AND THE L.A. TIMES!!!

... Jazz recordings are like snapshots, or family photos ... a moment of time, captured for eternity. We really like this "picture" of the band! We hope our listeners will, too.

Dave, Peter & Alan

A couple of words about the Trio: we feel that the band enjoys a rather unique distinction in that all three players are also composers. As composers, that means we not only write most of the material we play ... but we also play all of the material in a "compositional" way (as opposed to playing merely as "players" ...!). To me, this means that the construction of the music always has an architectural logic, a sort of mathematical purity AND a passionate sense of discovery, both private and communal.

Words about music are tough ... but I can say this: I love making music in this Trio more than any other group I've played in, and this recording perfectly captured what we do.

FOR UPCOMING GIG INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE THE ITINERARY PAGE!

Here's a 4 star review of our concert in London back in March, 2002 at the Pizza Express. Thanks to reviewer John Fordham of the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Peter Erskine Trio, Pizza Express, London, March 19, 2002

You could synchronise naval chronometers to Peter Erskine's drumming. A percussionist in his Tuesday night audience even considered checking his watch against a slowly ticking cymbal during one minimalist reverie.

Erskine, the former Weather Report drummer, is a technical phenomenon, with a sense of time that would be mechanical if his playing were not so loose and expressive. But his audience is by no means restricted to percussion buffs practising rudiments on the table-tops.

The American drummer/composer appeared in London with his regular acoustic trio featuring pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Dave Carpenter ... this is a regular working and recording unit for Erskine, and it shows. Their empathy as an ensemble, and Erskine's astonishing awareness of the sonic potential of every surface on the drumkit, brought a hypnotised silence to the room. Even the thumps from the restaurant upstairs seemed to be happening in another life.

Although he has a reputation as a powerhouse drummer, Erskine is for the most part a delicate and supportive player. He established the ground rules from the first bars of How About You, with hushed brushwork against Pasqua's fragments of arpeggiosand Carpenter's softly flickering basslines. Carpenter's long-limbed postbopper Riff Raff raised the intensity, with Erskine's lightly ticking cymbal work and sparing accents constantly adjusting to the activities of his partners. A fast and fluid version of You and the Night and the Music (reminiscent of the mid-1960s Miles Davis group) displayed the trio's full-on virtuosity, with Erskine and Carpenter batting fast phrases back and forth at its conclusion. And the drummer played a dazzling solo at the close of the show, with shifting polyrhythms inexorably guarded by the unwavering tick of the hi-hat. Synchronise your watches.

The other big news is that my new book has hit the streets and seen the light of day. Volume 2 is now out, and I just completed Volume 3! ALL THREE VOLUMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE !!!

"Drumset Essentials, Vol. 1" is available from Alfred Publications (and for sale at the fuzzymusic.com website). The challenge and joy of writing this book has been in the focusing required to present the "how to's" of drumming to both novices and experienced players.

Here are reactions to the book by some of my colleagues and peers:

"Peter Erskine’s book, Drumset Essentials, explains the fundamentals of drumset playing clearly and musically and is full of practical tips and personal musical perspectives that only Peter himself would be able to notice and articulate. The play-along CD is a hip touch -- I wish this package was available when I was first starting out." — Steve Smith

"This is a much needed book for a variety of reasons. The text is clear and to the point, with accompanying photos that are appropriate to the text. Young teachers and students deserve this kind of clarity ... This book and CD are a must for any teacher or student. I anxiously await the next installment!" — J.C. Combs, Professor of Percussion, Wichita State University

"Peter Erskine's "Drumset Essentials Volume 1" is one of the best presentations of drumming basics I've seen. An excellent reference source for beginning and advanced players, authored by one of the most astute, versatile players of our time." — Ron Spagnardi, Editor/Publisher of Modern Drummer Magazine

Peter's new book, the first in a series of three, is very well organized and thought through. Excellent conceptual information, exercises and playalong tracks. I especially like pp. 7-25...very easy to understand. The appendix is also excellent. Information on tuning, head selection, stick sizes, cymbals, etc. is very important for all drummers, no matter what their skill level might be. Also, books by drummers of Peter's importance and stature rarely have this information - his wealth of experience gives much credibility to this work. I think the exercises are simple and go through an obvious progression of difficulty...cool...also the tracks are fun to play along with and Peter's playing on those songs offers plenty of musicality and feel for those with ears to hear." — David Garibaldi

"The book comes across as being just for the one reading it, it's that personal in its tone ... clear, concise and thoughtful information presented by a true master musician, drummer and educator." — Skip Hadden, Professor @ Berklee College of Music (and a former drummer for Weather Report)

"Maestro Erskine has developed a teaching method that is parallel to his background and musicality...immense. These are the best and most fun lessons I've ever had. Thank you Peter..." — Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez

“Peter’s intelligence, depth of experience, and artistic sensitivity
bring clear, concise wisdom to Drumset Essentials from one of the great masters of the drumset.” — John Wyre (NEXUS)

"Peter Erskine's Drum Essentials vol.1 is a fantastic introduction to the world of the drumset. Peter covers the most important topics such as basic technique and timekeeping. There is even a chapter on how to practice. The book is filled with practical exercises and musical advice, not to mention a great play along CD. This is the book I would choose for introducing any student to the drumset." — Chad Wackerman