Peter Erskine began playing the drums at the age of four, and has now been at the forefront of world-class jazz ensembles for twenty five 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, 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 , as well as his own groups.
Peter has recorded eleven 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 his "piano trio," and The Lounge Art Ensemble (that group's latest CD is titled "Lava Jazz" ).
Peter is also now a member of the Yellowjackets.
