Ralph Peterson

"My life condition will be apparent in my music always." His music is marked by the focus and indomitable energy of a spirit in balance. "Like a wood nickel, I keep coming back. Im in the game for the long haul now, and Ive figured out that the key to winning the game is staying in the game."

Peterson began his studies at Rutgers in Brass before moving to Percussion.

"At the percussion audition I didnt know rudiments; I had never really studied the instrument. I learned how to read what little bit of rhythms I could from my trumpet studies, which began in fourth grade.

"Ive always loved soprano saxophone, and if theyd used it in my high school marching band, I probably wouldnt have played trumpet. Sopranos dont project as well as trumpets, but they occupy the same timbral area.

"Once Michael Carvin at Rutgers finally believed that I was a drummer and let me study with him, I began to learn about Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones and Max Roach and Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, who I had heard of but didnt know why. One reason I started playing trumpet is because the horn lines were becoming more interesting in the 70s than the drum beats! After you cop, whats next? Here was drumming that I couldnt imitate after hearing it once. Discovering these guys, who were playing stuff I couldnt do, reawakened the searching spirit, and its been awake ever since."

While in college, Peterson began an ongoing gig in pianist Walter Davis, Jr.s trio, and worked in Blakeys two-drummer big band; proximity with the mentors evolved to enduring friendship. "Art became my idol not only as a drummer, but as a bandleader and a molder of men. Walter taught me the tradition of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and how to play trio in a triangular manner, not that bass and drums lay down a carpet, but always three-way conversation, with input and dialogue and conversation from all the components in the ensemble. Thats how the music was when he was 17 playing in Birds band, and I perpetuate that tradition."

"Its dangerous when you start trying to downplay the role of drums in music. I play with a lot of intensity and energy, but someone who says I play loud isnt listening to me. I dont play any one way all the time; each rhythmic approach is designed to awaken the spirit differently.

"Im starting to connect with John Coltranes influence spiritually. His life changed, and towards the end of his life, his focus of expression changed; similarly, my life has taken a turn where spiritual concerns outweigh material concerns and prestige and notoriety. Believe me, Ive got an ego like everybody elses. But being a musician used to be what I was, now its simply what I do. What I am is a father and a son and a brother and a sponsor. The press and records could stop, but those things will go on. And they connect me with the power given me, the gift to play music - it closes a circle."

adapted from an interview by Ted Panken, Downbeat, Jazziz Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.