Male

43

"I'M A HIGH-NET FLYER, AND A RAINBOW-RIDER, A STRAIGHT-SHOOTIN'-SON-OF-A-GUN'
I'd been a performer and instructor of Middle Eastern percussion in Atlanta for over ten years. Since September of 2006, I've moved back to my native Massachusetts, which is where I live now. My favorite percussion instrument is the Egyptian Tabla. I also play the Riq, Def, Bendir and Qaraqeb. Other instruments I enjoy playing are the Udu, Cajon and Berimbau. I've done everything from street performing, to performing at Renaissance Fairs, college radio and local television programs, to many clubs, bars, cafes, theatres, colleges, churches and stages all over Georgia and other southern states. Over the years, I've been in numerous traditional Turkish, Greek and Arabic ensembles, as well as many World-fusion groups.
You can see my web-site: www.geocities.com/ericnpeters
Presently, I'm a percussionist with the group Trouz Bras. www.trouzbras.com This group plays great Medieval Celtic music from Breton, they're wonderful musicians, and they are a great group of people as well. You can also see our performance sampler: one.revver.com/watch/2888...liate/92219 Check 'em out!! You can also find me playing some cool Latin/Gypsy music at www.myspace.com/theentertainment
I've loved Middle Eastern I was a child. I'm part Armenian on my mother's side. My grandfather and mother always played Middle Eastern, Armenian and Greek records around the house. The first live music I'd ever heard was George Abdo's band at the Averof in Cambridge Ma. My mom used to belly dance, and took me out to hear the music. It blew my mind!!
I also used to love the live music I'd hear at the Armenian picnics. It's powerful music, I could feel it in my bones.
As a child, I used to tap out the drum rhythms on my mattress as I went to sleep at night. I didn't want to let go of the rhythm. I'd hear my tapping amplified in the mattress as I put my ear to it and tapped myself to sleep, immitating the drum rhythms.
I've had a life-long love of The Beatles, as a child their music struck me as the happiest music I'd ever heard, and I still feel that way.
I first heard "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in my school music class at age 12, I'd never heard such a joyfulness in music like that before. It was as though they preserved pure happiness on record. All that day in school I hummed that melody in my head, not wanting to let go of it. The Beatles showed me how to love music deeply, and to be open to many different kinds of music. Their example has given me the structure of my musical philosophy, that I want to play music that makes myself and others happy. I love many musicians and bands of many cultures and genres, and any art that's honest and sincere, and isn't trying to convince me of how cool the artist thinks he is.
Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean music is what compells me to play music. It is why I play music. Nothing hits me as deeply, goes directly to my heart like this music. Be it Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Persian, Azerbaijan, Rom, Berber, Art music or Folk music, it affects me like no other. I'm grateful for its power, and how it's literally changed my life in all glorious ways, bringing me many gifts.
I love humor and I love to laugh. The more silly, infantile, gross, weird or absurd, the louder I laugh!
My favorite drummer of all is Hossam Ramzy, he's a great guy and a wonderful teacher, in addition to being a brilliant musician. Above all, he's my dear friend.
I love my family, friends and my two cats Nemo and Madzoun.
I'm very blessed and most fortunate that I'm married to the most loving, and beautiful woman in the world, my wife Nina, I'm grateful for you, as always Sweetie!!!