“The TRIO" is the musical brainchild of west coast jazz veteran Chuck Berghofer, long known for his swinging work with Shelly Manne, Pete Jolly and Frank Sinatra. Pianist Terry Trotter is both a legendary pianist and a best-kept secret. Drummer Peter Erskine rounds out the trio, building upon the work he and Chuck did together as part of the “Sinatraland" sessions as well as Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now" album and tour. The Trio's once-a-month appearances at Charlie O's have become sold out affairs, with the place filled by loyal fans and LA music royalty. “Live at Charlie O's" gives you a front row seat to check out these three well-met fellows:
One of LA's finest bass players, Chuck Berghofer enjoys a varied career as jazz musician and studio artist. From his early days with Skinnay Ennis and Bobby Troup, Chuck went on to work with such jazz legends as Herb Ellis, Shelly Manne, Howard Roberts, Jimmy Rowles and Zoot Sims. Always in demand by vocalists, he recorded with Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan, and more recently with Christina Aguilera, Michael Feinstein, Steve Tyrell, Patti Austin and Barry Manilow. Two of Chuck's biggest hits were his bass solo on Nancy Sinatra's “These Boots Are Made For Walking" and the signature bass part on the “Barney Miller" TV show theme.
Chuck has performed on hundreds of movie soundtracks including the classics Blazing Saddles, Jurassic Park, Rocky I & II, Matrix and On Golden Pond. Playing with a small jazz group, he was featured on Jim Carrey's “Majestic," Clint Eastwood's “Bird" and “True Crime" movies. He has played on numerous TV shows including Charlie's Angels, The Carol Burnett Show, Mash, The Simpsons, Star Trek, Family Guy as well as many Grammy and Oscar Award broadcasts. Chuck received NARAS' “Most Valuable Bass Player" award four years in a row, a distinction bestowed upon him by his fellow studio musicians.
In 1991, he joined Frank Sinatra's rhythm section, touring worldwide and recording the classic Duets 1 and II albums. In the late 90's he recorded and toured with Joni Mitchell and performed on Barbra Streisand's Farewell Tour in Australia and the US. In recent years he has appeared with The Three Tenors, toured with Kevin Spacey and performed at the Tanglewood Festival with John Williams. He continues to be a featured artist at jazz festivals across the country and performs regularly in Europe and Japan. Chuck was a member of the Pete Jolly Trio for forty years. He remains a regular member of the Frank Capp Juggernaut Big Band, the Flying Pisano's Ensemble, the Shelly Berg Trio and his own group, “The Midnight Jazz Band." He has recently started a new trio with Terry Trotter and Peter Erskine. He is seen in the award winning “Wrecking Crew" documentary that portrays the busy 60s/70's recording scene.
His fine, big-toned sound, solid time-keeping, extensive experience and passionate attitude contribute to his recognition as one of the most sought after bass players on the West Coast today.
Terry Trotter is one of California's native treasures. Growing up in Glendale music was always the most important thing in Trotter's life. Having started his piano studies at the age of four with a strong classical background he discovered in his teens that he wanted to be a jazz musician. At thirteen he met Bobby Hutcherson and Herbie Lewis when he was hired to play at a high school dance. They ended up playing regularly in Bobby's garage in Pasadena. He then met Charles Lloyd who was going to USC and he took Trotter under his wing, criticizing his playing and telling him who to listen to. The first concert he played with Lloyd at USC included Scott La Faro, Billy Higgins and Don Cherry.
Early in his career, Trotter gained a wide variety of valuable musical experiences. He worked at the Lighthouse with Art Pepper for a year and a half, toured with Les Brown and played with Chet Baker and Joe Pass off and on for a couple of years. He returned to Los Angeles after a tour with a Lena Horne and Victor Feldman recommended him for a job with the Miles Davis' group. Seeing some of the negatives of living the “jazz life" on the road he decided he didn't want to travel anymore and turned his attention to becoming a full time studio musician. For the next twenty years he played with some of the greatest musicians in the world.
Eventually Trotter retuned to his jazz roots; wanting to play more creative music. While sitting in at the now defunct Mulberry Street he developed a musical relationship with Larry Carlton. Deciding to go back on the road this collaboration included recording and touring around the world. Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme then hired Trotter as their piano man. Recently retired from the road life, for the last twelve years he has been Natalie Cole's pianist.
Television viewers will know Terry's work as the co-author of the theme song for “Everybody Loves Raymond". His playing can be heard throughout each and every show which is currently now in syndication around the world.
Trotter has also recorded with such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Phil Woods and Charlie Shoemake and has recorded many CD's on his own; most notably his series of Stephen Sondheim jazz interpretations. He cites his musical influences as Bud Powell, Barry Harris, Bill Evans, Dave Brubek and Clare Fisher.
Peter Erskine has played drums since the age of 4 and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on over 500 albums and film scores, and has won 2 Grammy Awards plus an Honorary Doctorate.
30 albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson big bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny & Gary Burton, John Scofield, et al, and has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Frankfurt Radio, Scottish Chamber, BBC Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic orchestras. Peter premiered the double percussion concerto Fractured Lines, composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage, at the BBC Proms with Andrew Davis conducting, and has collaborated frequently with Simon Rattle.
Peter graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and studied at Indiana University under George Gaber. In 1972, Peter commenced his pro career playing with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Four years later, he joined Maynard Ferguson before working with Jaco Pastorius in Weather Report and moving to Los Angeles. Peter recorded 5 albums with the band. During this time in LA, he also worked with Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Farrell and George Cables. Peter then moved to New York City where he worked for 5 years with such musicians as Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Eddie Gomez and Eliane Elias in Steps Ahead, John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Marc Johnson in the legendary group Bass Desires, the John Abercrombie Trio plus Bob Mintzer's big band.
Peter's lived in LA since 1987 but has been traveling around the world all of that time, working with such artists as Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell, Vince Mendoza, Steely Dan, plus European musicians Jan Garbarek, Kenny Wheeler, Palle Danielsson, John Taylor, Kate Bush, Nguyen L, the Norrbotten Big Band in Sweden plus Sadao Watanabe in Japan. Peter keeps busy in LA with such artists as Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, Bob Mintzer, the Bob Florence Limited Edition big band, Chuck Berghofer and Terry Trotter as well as playing in the studio.
Films where Peter's drumming can be heard include Memoirs of a Geisha, the new Pink Panther and all 3 of the Austin Powers movies. Peter has composed scores for theatrical productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream for which he was awarded the L.A. Drama Critics Circle prize for Best Original Music Score.
Peter produces jazz recordings for his record label, Fuzzy Music, and is an active author with several books to his credit; the latest titles include “Time Awareness for All Musicians" and “Essential Drum Fills." Peter is currently the Director of Drumset Studies at the University of Southern California.
