Peter Erskine's Peregrine: The Album He Always Wanted
Peter Erskine's new jazz album Peregrine is the deeply personal record the legendary drummer says he always wanted to make. Recorded as a piano trio with Alan Pasqua and Scott Colley, the album blends emotional resonance with spontaneous first-take energy, released April 10, 2026.
The Story Behind This Personal Jazz Recording
Peregrine was born from an invitation by Jo Pangilinan, whose late husband Mark Brunner built Reelsounds Studio outside Chicago. Jo, who believes Mark's spirit returns to her as a bird, suggested both the album's title and several of its tracks. For Erskine, the project offered a rare chance to step back from his usual hands-on production role, giving the record a distinct emotional feel unlike anything in his catalog. The result is a set of tunes that carry deep personal meaning, including a vocal rendition of Phoebe Snow's Poetry Man, sung by Kate Lamont exactly as she performed it at Mark's memorial service.
Jazz Trio Chemistry and the Oliver Nelson Influence
Erskine credits Oliver Nelson's often-overlooked pop covers album from 1966 as a lifelong inspiration for Peregrine's approach. He wanted to play music that resonates emotionally, the same way Nelson's record moved him as a 12-year-old. The trio sessions with pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Scott Colley came together quickly, with nearly every track captured in a single take. That spontaneity gives the album a live, breathing quality that reflects Erskine's love of acoustic jazz at intimate volumes, where the audience can lean in and truly connect with the music.
What's Next for Erskine: European Jazz, New Books and a Touring Break
At 72, Erskine is intentionally slowing his touring schedule, planning to take 2027 off from travel before returning in 2028, which marks the 50th anniversary of his joining Weather Report. He has upcoming piano trio releases on his own Fuzzy Music label and is looking forward to a new European jazz recording with Franco Ambrosetti. Erskine also plans to write a second biographical book and organize his photography archive. His recent Japanese tour with the Dr. Um project was a highlight, but it reinforced his desire to focus on simpler, more meaningful musical settings going forward.
Key Takeaways
Peregrine is a milestone in Peter Erskine's storied jazz career, a record shaped by grief, gratitude and genuine musical joy. With a touring break ahead and exciting new projects on the horizon, Erskine is entering a creative chapter defined entirely on his own terms.
Author: Rosa Sawer
Source: UK Jazz News
Published: September 27, 2026
