Drummer/Composer/Producer Adrian Peek brings a wealth of varied expertise to all his many associations and projects. A resident of Los Angeles since 2004, Adrian has been internationally recognized as a major contributor in television and recorded/live music performance for many years.
Currently, Adrian is the regular drummer for Chester Whitmore’s Opus One Big Band, R&B/Smooth Jazz Artist Larry Williams, and is Lead Drummer for H. Dominique’s New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band. Peek is quickly developing a reputation as a “go to guy” for last minute subbing with (THE actor/singer) Jack Black, (composer) Richard Tuttobene, (trombonist/violinist) Dan Weinstein and (vocalist) Mike Tortoricci. He’s performed with (saxist) Zane Musa, (guitarist) Bruce Lofgren, (LA music legend) Jimmie Maddin, (trumpeter) Everett Turner and (vocalist) Jolli Starr.
Adrian produced The Brothers Curtis’ “It’s You That’s Got To Go” CD that won the “Best Produced Independent Blues Album” W.C. Handy Award in 2005.
Adrian’s music publishing/production company, “Peek Of Artertainment LLC”, began operations in 2006. He is composing music for placement in television and film in his Power Mac G5 project studio, running Logic Pro 7. Peek uses “Miroslav Philharmonik”, “First Call Horns”, and “Atmospheres” sample libraries. His online recording session work is done using “Drumkit From Hell”, “Custom & Vintage Drums” and many custom sample drum sounds played on a MIDI drum kit. In addition, Peek uses Final Cut Studio HD for in-house music layback-to-picture, Hi-Def editing and DVD creation.
Before relocating to Los Angeles, Peek spent over a decade as a first-call staff musician and composer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He recorded prolifically with Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Arturo Sandoval, Maestro Bramwell Tovey (London/Vancouver Symphony Orchestras), Marilyn Lerner, Larry Roy and many others. Adrian also performed at the Montreux and Umbria Jazz Festivals in Europe. Peek has also appeared at several editions of the Festival Internationale de Jazz de Montreal, Du Marier, Winnipeg Folk and Vancouver International Jazz/Folk festivals.
He was a featured artist on many Radio-Canada Internationale broadcasts. While in Canada, Adrian also taught Music Analysis/History/Scoring classes, and was Director of Percussion Studies at the East Campus of Professional Musicians’ College in Winnipeg.
He was a featured artist at drum clinics, served as an adjudicator on arts councils, and conducted his own percussion ensemble, “HeartBeat” on numerous TV programs for the CBC, CTV and Global networks.
As a TV writer/producer Peek had a number of successes with “Prairie Soul, Black Rhythms from The Heartland”, “Iced Jazz” and “Tracking The Beat”. “Prairie Soul” was broadcast on PBS and Bravo! Cable channel. It won a 1993 PBS nomination for Best Independent Documentary, and is currently being used by Yale and York Universities in their curricula. An episode of “Iced Jazz” won the 1997 Blizzard Award, and “Tracking The Beat” consistently beat network programming in its time slot. Adrian Peek has been a certified AVID editor since 1999.
In Chicago, Adrian was first-call session drummer for Soto Sound Studios, and did sessions with producers Paul Howard and Vince Willis. He gigged with Jerry Wilson, Bill MacFraland and the Chicago Horns, (bassist) Eldee Young and (pianist) John Young, Peek spent two years touring and recording with Blues Legend Mighty Joe Young, and taught on a limited basis.
Peek spent a number of years performing and recording in West Africa. He replaced (on very short notice) the great drumming legend Bernard Purdie on (vibist) Roy Ayers’ recording with Afro Beat star Fela Anikulapo-Kuti on Cotillion/Decca Nigeria entitled “Africa, Center Of The World”. In addition, Adrian’s drumming on (Nigerian superstar) Emma Dorgo’s “For You Only” was credited for propelling the record to a Nigerian Grammy Award in 1980. Another act Peek performed with, The Soul Messengers, received nominations for the Eurovision contest, winning “Honorable Mention” category in 1978.
Originally from the small town of Asbury Park, NJ, Peek attended university on a double-major scholarship. Being close to Manhattan, Adrian performed and recorded with Chuck Berry, Jungle Rat and Caravan. The recordings were a continuation from Peek’s first hit recording, “Yes, I Really Love You”, by the Equations in 1968 done while he was still attending the local high school.
Adrian Peek is a proud member of: Professional Musicians Local 47 AFM, Society of Composers and Lyricists, Lawyers For The Creative Arts (artist), TAXI online A&R service, and his publishing company, Peek Of Artertainment is a BMI affiliate.
