Biography
Peter O'Brien entered the world in Flushing, Queens, New York, and received his rhythmic gifts from his father, the drummer Bill O'Brien. He took up the instrument almost as soon as he could reach the kit and began private lessons with his father at five. At seven the young player earned a spot in his elementary school orchestra, performing beside seventh- and eighth-graders; that placement secured him a music scholarship to high school and five years of study with Charlie Perry. In 1976, still sixteen, O'Brien participated in a Hofstra University drum clinic led by Perry whose final week brought Jack DeJohnette to the faculty; DeJohnette’s interest prompted introductions to John Abercrombie, Bill Connors, and Miroslav Vitous. After graduation O’Brien bypassed college and immersed himself in New York’s jazz community, where he drew notice from Jo Jones Jr., Al Foster, Jimmy Lovelace, and Michael Carvin; he studied with Carvin between 1978 and 1979.
The year 1982 found him on the road across the United States alongside Brother Jack McDuff, while from 1984 to 1985 he crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada with the Edgar Winter Band, whose lineup included original White Trash vocalist Jerry LaCroix and which alone revived the jazz-fusion repertoire from Winter’s debut album Entrance alongside his rock and blues catalog. During the same period O’Brien also shared several bills with Roy Buchanan, among them a sold-out Beacon Theatre concert that featured Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and Junior Wells. Between 1986 and 1987 he toured Europe with Mark McMillan.
Early in 1988 O’Brien relocated to Woodstock, New York, and began collaborating with John Hall; by 1989 he had joined Hall’s group Orleans. The band’s signature singles “Still the One” and “Dance with Me” placed him squarely in the pop arena. He recorded seven albums—four with Orleans and three with Hall—completed three Japanese tours (two with the band, one with Hall), and played innumerable American dates, including the 1994 Woodstock festival. A profile of his work appeared in Modern Drummer’s Japanese edition, Rhythm and News, and he continued performing with Orleans into 2002.
In February 2001 O’Brien became the drummer for Eric Person’s quartet Meta-Four; the group captured Live at Big Sur before a capacity audience at the seventh annual Big Sur Jazz Festival, and the recording received its New York premiere at the Blue Note in January 2003. He also serves as drummer for the John Esposito Trio, whose bassist is Ira Coleman. Beyond performing, O’Brien maintains a modest private studio and works as a session musician, appearing on national spots for Continental Airlines, AT&T, Macy’s, and Burger King. He has conducted clinics at Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, and Western Connecticut University.
The year 1982 found him on the road across the United States alongside Brother Jack McDuff, while from 1984 to 1985 he crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada with the Edgar Winter Band, whose lineup included original White Trash vocalist Jerry LaCroix and which alone revived the jazz-fusion repertoire from Winter’s debut album Entrance alongside his rock and blues catalog. During the same period O’Brien also shared several bills with Roy Buchanan, among them a sold-out Beacon Theatre concert that featured Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and Junior Wells. Between 1986 and 1987 he toured Europe with Mark McMillan.
Early in 1988 O’Brien relocated to Woodstock, New York, and began collaborating with John Hall; by 1989 he had joined Hall’s group Orleans. The band’s signature singles “Still the One” and “Dance with Me” placed him squarely in the pop arena. He recorded seven albums—four with Orleans and three with Hall—completed three Japanese tours (two with the band, one with Hall), and played innumerable American dates, including the 1994 Woodstock festival. A profile of his work appeared in Modern Drummer’s Japanese edition, Rhythm and News, and he continued performing with Orleans into 2002.
In February 2001 O’Brien became the drummer for Eric Person’s quartet Meta-Four; the group captured Live at Big Sur before a capacity audience at the seventh annual Big Sur Jazz Festival, and the recording received its New York premiere at the Blue Note in January 2003. He also serves as drummer for the John Esposito Trio, whose bassist is Ira Coleman. Beyond performing, O’Brien maintains a modest private studio and works as a session musician, appearing on national spots for Continental Airlines, AT&T, Macy’s, and Burger King. He has conducted clinics at Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, and Western Connecticut University.
Albums
