Rick Peckham

Rick Peckham Trio: Real Time

by Mike Jacobs
July 22, 2023

The semi-trashy, primal majesty of Rick Peckham's sound may initially throw more than a few jazz listeners but it soon becomes clear why he's a longtime assistant chair of the Berklee Guitar Department. Joined here by bassist Tony Scherr and drummer Jim Black, the music put forth on this track and on the rest of Left End (Peckham Music, 2004) feels something like Bill Frisell meets Neil Young at Wayne Krantz's house--and you just might want to be there.

Rick Peckham Trio: Left End

by Jerry D'Souza
September 14, 2004

Guitarist Rick Peckham has played as a sideman on several albums, bringing his personal signature to the music. On this, his debut as leader, he elevates that presence, aided by two fine musicians in Jim Black and Tony Scherr.

Peckham is fine tuned into jazz, as evidenced by his cover of the Thelonious Monk tune “Evidence," as well as the group's “Free 1" and the fleeting “Free 2." And though the harmonies may not be those of jazz ...

Rick Peckham: Left End

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
July 3, 2004

The opening twangy guitar riff off the title track of guitarist Rick Peckham’s Left End suggests an edge usually associated with rock music, a feeling solidified by the propulsive groove of drummer Jim Black and bassist Tony Scherr (both with plenty of rock in their backgrounds) to push the leader’s statement further. And that’s just the first 30 seconds.

Peckham’s debut as a leader draws on early classic rock guitar influences for sound and attitude and infuses them with improvisational ...

Rick Peckham: Left End

by John Kelman
June 13, 2004

For the first album by the assistant chair to the guitar department at the Berklee School of Music, one might expect a heavily jazz-centric affair and, given Rick Peckham’s vintage, one that would be heavily informed by alumni like John Scofield, Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. And, to be sure, there’s a certain outward edge a la Scofield, and some reference to the skewed Americana of Frisell territory. But while Left End may demonstrate these allegiances, they are just as ...