We are very sorry to inform you that last night, before the first concert in Poland, Maestro Bob Mintzer had an accident and fractured a finger on his hand. He underwent emergency surgery and, unfortunately, will obviously not be able to perform for the next few weeks. On his social media page, everyone can see the photo he posted from his hospital bed, with his arm in a cast. After a careful discussion with Peter Erskine and the other members of the quartet, we came to the conclusion that bringing in an external musician would not preserve the original spirit of the band; moreover, the unique and original repertoire they perform would not be respected. The question we asked ourselves was: “Who today could replace Bob Mintzer in our music?” I believe the answer is quite clear, as Bob is a true master, unique and perhaps the last of his kind. They added: “Rather than altering the repertoire and turning the concerts into a jam session of sorts, including standards, we would prefer to continue the tour as a trio, min order to present our music without compromising its identity.” These were the words that emerged during today’s meeting, and we are therefore sorry to inform you that the Peter Erskine Quartet will temporarily become a Trio.

Peter Erskine is a true jazz icon who has written essential chapters in music history. Born in New Jersey, he began playing drums at the age of four and launched his professional career at eighteen with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. His legend truly began with Weather Report, where, alongside Jaco Pastorius and Joe Zawinul, he became a key member during the band’s golden era. He recorded five albums with them, including the famous live record “8.30”, which won a Grammy Award.

More recently, with his project “Peter Erskine Trio feat. Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles”, he received a Grammy nomination in 2023 for the album “Live in Italy” (co-produced by Zenart Cooperativa Artistica), recorded in Camogli, Italy, during their 2021 autumn tour.
Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Artist, Grammy-nominated pianist, and professor of jazz studies at the USC Thornton School of Music. He has performed and recorded with Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan, and Joe Williams.

In 2008, Pasqua joined forces with Peter Erskine and Dave Carpenter to arrange, co-produce, and perform on the Grammy-nominated album “Standards”.

Darek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz, born February 20, 1963, in Wroclaw, Poland, has become one of the most sought-after bassists on the U.S. West Coast. “Oles,” as he is known, has performed and recorded with many of jazz’s greatest masters, including Brad Mehldau, Billy Higgins, Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson, Charles Lloyd, John Abercrombie, Bennie Maupin, Lee Konitz, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, and many others.