Top jazz drummer Peter Erskine has teamed up with Beamz Interactive, an interactive music products company that develops innovative musical instruments and music entertainment products to enable people of all ages and skill levels to play music. Peter Erskine contributes with a series of drum sounds, rhythmic loops and beats.\"I’m a dedicated Mac user, and felt a little like a stranger in a strange land when I first was introduced to the PC-based Beamz. Within moments, I thought, ‘This is far out!’ I was instantly attracted to the immediacy that the instrument offers to everyone. The Beamz is a musical gateway or doorway that allows anyone to enter the world of sampling, loops and sound manipulation. For me the interest lies in reaching budding musicians who don’t necessarily have technical or musical instrument expertise, but who have music in their hearts. It’s one of the more user-friendly interfaces I’ve ever seen.\"
About Peter Erskine
For over 35 years, Peter Erskine has been delighting his fans with award-winning, world-class jazz ensembles. He has earned two Grammy Awards throughout his career, one with the band Weather Report, and the other for the Brecker Brothers\' album, \'Some Skunk Funk\'. Following his four years in Weather Report, he began to play with the group Steps Ahead.
Peter Erskine has contributed to more than 500 albums and film scores, including work with Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic to name a few.
Besides touring and recording, Erskine is composing for theater, dance, film and television. He has produced four instructional videos and eight books, and is currently the Director of Drumset Studies at the USC Thorton School of Music.
How the Beamz works
The Beamz is an interactive musical instrument that anyone can play. It allows you to create music by passing your hands through laser beams, triggering streams of musical notes. Each beam controls a different, pre-programmed instrument, rhythm or sound. With the Beamz, anyone can enjoy the benefits of musical expression, regardless of musical background. Beamz software also includes the option to easily record your music performances – making your own songs for playback as a .wav or .wmv file.
Hungarian Drum Museum honores Peter Erskine
In related news: Peter Erskine has been honored by Europe’s only drum museum in Cegléd, near Budapest in Hungary.
Present at the gala opening on May 14 were Peter Erskine, museum founder and curator Sándor Kármán, cultural attaché for the US Embassy John Balian, and a crowd of 200 persons.
Peter donated a large collection of instruments and memorabilia spanning his entire career as drummer, recording artist, record producer, musical instrument innovator, composer, and educator.
