Ask Peter Erskine

Lois Gilbert · September-28th-2004, 12:34 AM

I think this is JC's week for drummers. Peter how are you? Delighted to see you register. What prompted you to do so at this juncture

Best Lois

jaka · September-28th-2004, 05:52 AM

A warm welcome to you, Mr. Erskine.

You don't know me and then, you (or your music, so to say) have been at my side for years now, your trio ECM dates with John Taylor and Palle Danielsson being among my all time favorites, along with the Bass Desires albums and many others where your writing and/or playing is a constant source of pleasure to my ears.

Just wanted to grab this occasion to thank you.

Other Steve · September-28th-2004, 12:12 PM

Mr. Erskine:

For your brilliant drumming, your personal original music, and for more wayward adventures such as your work with Mark Anthony Turnage and your participation in Jeff Gauthier's "Music of Eric von Essen"...

Many, many thanks.

Steve Smith
(no, not that Steve Smith.)

Valerie · September-28th-2004, 12:40 PM

Welcome, Peter Erskine, one of my very favorite drummers for many years. You never disappoint, no matter what the context. I will look forward to your participation here. I know you have a lot you could contribute, that's for sure!

Gentle Giant · September-28th-2004, 02:17 PM

(Interviewer to Walter Becker prior to the start of Steely Dan's first tour since '74, discussing the band): "Peter Erskine was an inspired choice. He's an underrated drummer."

(Becker): "Not in my house he isn't."

Nor in mine. I think Weather Report's 8:30 might have been my first exposure and I've been a fan ever since. One big reason: Taste.

graypencil · September-28th-2004, 03:49 PM

Welcome Peter;

You've always been up there on my list of favorite drummers ..and composers as well!

Drummers of the world who also write ..unite!!

Phil Kelly
www.philkellymusic.com

GoodSpeak · September-28th-2004, 09:38 PM

Glad you're here, Peter.

I have been a huge fan since back in the Weather Report daze. Then with Steps Ahead.

I have seen you in concert with WR several times and once with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band...a HS friend of mine.

Doug Robinson had the great foresight to employ you on one of his CDs.

Your drumming is legendary.

I am completely in awe of your talent.

....and I thank you for the pleasure it brings.

Nate Dorward · September-28th-2004, 10:45 PM

& those piano/drums duets on Wheeler's Music for Small & Large Ensembles....

Lois Gilbert · September-29th-2004, 08:04 PM

I emailed with Peter and he said he will be posting here when he can and thanks everyone for the warm welcome

Peter Erskine · September-30th-2004, 01:45 AM

And may I thank you all "in person" ...?!

A lot of great energy and information to be found here at the Jazz Corner; honored that you listen to my music ...I've been lucky to be part of some cool projects and recordings.

Looking forward to exchanging ideas, answering questions (if any), and visiting the site here ... meanwhile, greetings from Lisbon, Portugal.

All the best,
Peter Erskine

September-30th-2004, 02:37 AM

OH MY!!!!

This IS huge!

Not only is your music much appreciated, but so is your overall influence on this brilliant artform as well.

Welcome to the zoo!

Valerie · September-30th-2004, 12:25 PM

I believe Peter is on tour with Diana Krall. Anthony Wilson is also with the group.

Lois Gilbert · September-30th-2004, 11:25 PM

From Peter

"greetings from Portugal and the Diana Krall tour, which is (may I say it?) "in full swing"

bigtiny · October-17th-2004, 05:29 PM

Peter,

years ago, a friend of mine asked you for an autograph before a Maynard Ferguson show in Lakeland Florida. You noticed the Elvin Jones T-shirt he was wearing and offered to trade him your Ferguson band shirt for it...he took you up on it and off they came....still got the t-shirt? =:-)

bigtiny

Enforcer · October-17th-2004, 11:27 PM

Wow. This is special for me. When I was a young drummer, a good friend of mine exposed me to Peter's music, and I was blown away. There are only a handful of drummers who had a profound influence on me, and Peter is definitely one of them. The music Peter played with Weather Report was outstanding. I also remember a special feature Peter did for Modern Drummer magazine. It was one of those floppy type record inserts that you could pull out of the binding and play on your turntable. It included some playing examples that were also written out in notation on a page in the magazine. I remember playing it for my Mom, and even she was impressed, asking, "Don't you wonder what makes him think of playing that way, coming up with those ideas?"

Anyway, let me just say, Welcome, Peter!

Valerie · October-18th-2004, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtiny@mac.com

Peter,

years ago, a friend of mine asked you for an autograph before a Maynard Ferguson show in Lakeland Florida. You noticed the Elvin Jones T-shirt he was wearing and offered to trade him your Ferguson band shirt for it...he took you up on it and off they came....still got the t-shirt? =:-)

bigtiny

I am the proud wearer of a Peter Erskine t-shirt!! Got it when I ordered one of CDs awhile back.

Ron Thorne · October-31st-2004, 08:45 PM

I'm a bit late to the party, but definitely want to add another warm welcome to a drummer with great taste, finesse and creativity ... Peter Erskine.

Years ago (early 70's and onward), while working in jazz radio at KJZZ-FM in Anchorage, Alaska, I damned near wore out the Weather Report catalog, for starters. Fond memories.

Of course, since those halcyon days in radio, I've been equally absorbed by your many and varied musical partnerships and contributions.

It's wonderful to have you among us, Peter.

Jazzooo · November-1st-2004, 05:05 PM

hey, this will save me sending a private email!

Hi, Peter--

Glenda and I are down in Mexico--6 weeks in San Miguel de Allende, a very cool little artistically-oriented town (at least from my perspective). One of the 24 CDs we chose to bring down is Al Jarreau's new album--what afun spin that is, and everyone is in great voice.

I was curious--can you tell us how Al Schmidt recorded your snare when you were playing with brushes? The sound is enormous--as if it's a four-foot wide drum. Just the right amounts of fluff and bite for my tastes.

I guess I also wanted to see if you picked up on the other drummer's kick drum 'quote' from ex-Jarreau drummer Joe Correro on the first tune, about 3/4 of the way through. He does it twice, and it's a such a signature move that I'm sure he knew what he was doing. Look To the Rainbow has been one of my favorite recordings since it came out--Correro and his itchy kick drum pedal have been noticeably absent since then, from what I can see.

Alright--good to see you hanging around here!

Doug