Peter O’Brien was born in Flushing, Queens, New York. The son of drummer Bill O’Brien, Peter began playing the drums as soon as he could sit up at the set, playing along with
recordings of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and all the greats of jazz. Formal studies with his father began at the age of five.
Peter attended St. Andrew Avellino grammar school and at age seven tried out for and was accepted into the school orchestra which consisted of seventh and eighth graders. He then received a music scholarship from Power Memorial Academy High School. Peter studied privately with Charlie Perry from age 13 through 17. In 1976, at age16, Peter attended a drum clinic held by Charlie at Hofstra University. The last week of the clinic featured studies with Jack DeJohnette, whose interest in Peter led to recomendations to John Ambercrombie, Bill Connors and Miroslav Vitous. After graduating high school, Peter decided to forgo college and dove headfirst into the New York City jazz scene garnering the attention of drummers Jo Jones Jr., Al Foster, Jimmy Lovelace, and Michael Carvin (with whom Peter studied in 1978-79).
After a period of sitting in at jam sessions and gigging around the city, Peter went on the road with various showbands touring the US. In 1982, he toured the US with Brother Jack McDuff and, from 1984-1985, performed all over the US and Canada with the Edgar Winter Band. The band featured the legendary singer Jerry LaCroix (original lead singer for White Trash) and is the only band to perform the jazz-inflected fusion material from Edgar’s first ground breaking record “Entrance” (Epic), as well as his rock and blues music. During this time, Peter also performed several dates with Roy Buchanan, including a sold-out show at the Beacon Theatre with Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. From 1986-1987, Peter toured Europe with Mark McMillan (songwriter for Chaka Khan).
In early 1988, Peter moved from NYC to Woodstock, New York, and soon began working with John Hall. In 1989, Peter became a member of Hall’s band Orleans (Still The One, Dance With Me). Peter has appeared on seven CD’s (four with Orleans, three with Hall), three tours of Japan (two with Orleans, one with Hall), and countless US tours and dates (including Woodstock ‘94) and was the subject of a feature article published in Modern Drummer’s Rhythm and News (Japan). Peter still tours with Orleans to date (2002).
Other tours include:
Dr. Lonnie Smith 1992 (Spain)
Rory Block 1996-97 (US and Europe)
Tracy Nelson 1998-99 (US )
Peter joined saxophonist Eric Person’s band, Eric Person and Meta-Four in February of 2001. A new CD, “Live at Big Sur,” will be released in early 2003. Eric, Peter and bandmates John Esposito (piano) and Kenny Davis (bass) performed at the Guimaraes Jazz Festival in Portugal in November 2002, and tour in support of the new CD in 2003. A CD release party is scheduled on January 27th at the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. Peter is also a member of the John Esposito Trio with Ira Coleman on bass. Along with a trio CD, John, Ira and Peter are featured on saxophonist Jeff Marx’s new CD “Treading Air, Breathing Fire,” both slated for release in 2003.
In addition to his busy performance schedule, Peter maintains a limited private teaching practice and freelances as a studio session player. He has played on national jingles for Continental Airlines, AT&T, Macy’s and Burger King. He has also worked as a clinician at Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, and Western Connecticut University.
Peter has recorded and performed with:
Mose Allison Hubert Laws
Warren Bernhardt Pete Levin
Walter Bishop Jr. Mike Manieri
Rory Block Brother Jack McDuff
Nick Brignola J. R. Montrose
Brubeck Brothers Jonell Mosser
Roy Buchanan Tracy Nelson
Murali Coryell Orleans
Jack DeJohnette Eric Person
Kenny Drew Jr. Dr. Lonnie Smith
John Hall Edgar Winter Band
Dave Kikoski Pete Yellin
Discography
Gaye Adegbalola, Bitter Sweet Blues (Alligator 1999)
Jim Barbaro, Smashville (2001)
Mike DeMicco, As The Sun Sets (Blue Forest 2000)
Lloyd Donnelly, Lloyd Donnelly (7 Records 1992)
John Hall, On A Distant Star (Pioneer LDC 1993)
John Hall, Recovered (Siren Songs 1998)
John Hall, Love Doesn’t Ask (Siren songs 1999)
Lunch Meat, self-titled (1994)
Jeff Marx, Treading Air, Breathing Fire (Saluna Records 2003)
Betty McDonald, Standard Elegance (MacDee Records 1993)
Jonell Mosser, So Like Joy (Siren Songs 2000)
Orleans, Orleans Live (Pony Canyon 1991)
Orleans, Analog Men (Pioneer LDC 1994)
Orleans, Ride ( BMG 1996)
Orleans, Still The One Live (Major Records Label 2002)
Eric Person and Meta - Four, Live At Big Sur (2003)
Joe Piket, Nine Times Framed (2000)
Peter Tomlinson, Momentum (Compose 1991)
Artie Traum, Letters From Joubee (Shanachie 1993)
Talking With Angels, T. W. A. (TWIA 1992)
Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Brother’s Keeper Soundtrack (London 1993)
(Nominated For An Academy Award)
Various Artists, Woodstock Holidays (Pioneer LDC 1994)
Various Artists, Vineyard Sounds (!994)
Various Artists, Vineyard Sounds (1995)
Various Artists, Where Woodstock Lives (Pioneer LDC 1994)
Did I leave my golf clubs over there? Ya' better get back to me on this. By the way....where are your golf clubs? I mean really . I can't find 'em. Jimm P.S. I can't wait to show you my new golf hat.
peter, thanks for the comment -- you could EASILY do b-awy, you're one of my favorite players. the key is knowing someone you could sub for. find out who the drummers are in the existing shows -- i'm sure you know them. it's hard though, you don't get rehearsal, you just gotta be ready to GO and you don't get paid for that.
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
Did you leave a set of golf clubs here? If you don't want these things, let me know. I've got a guy here that's willing to trade a kayak for them. This kinda offer doesn't last long and I wouldn't mind paddlin' that kayak to like a gig or somethin'
