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Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.

I want to play something for you. You're hearing Fast City by Weather Report, featuring my guest Peter Erskine on drums.

Erskine began his career with the legendary Stan Kenton, and his playing took on new

dimensions when he joined Joe Zawainel, Wayne Shorter, and Jacob Astorius in Weather Report.

Peter's musical flexibility and adventurous spirit propelled the supergroup through exciting new terrain.

It didn't hurt that he could swing.

Erskine has worked with dozens of iconic artists, ranging from Joni Mitchell to Joe Henderson.

He's also a renowned professor at USC, and as an incredibly prolific band leader, has released over 20 albums under his own name.

And now our conversation with Peter Erskine.

Anyone I know who's a successful musician,

he or she is a successful musician because they're passionate about music.

I mean, they love it.

They couldn't imagine themselves doing anything else.

When did you have that realization in your life?

I think when I was six years old.

Can you remember a particular moment where it crystallized?

One moment in particular, I had mentioned Broadway shows.

I was six years old, and my parents took me up to New York City to see a show.

It was called, I was six or seven.

...