Peter Buck

As a recipient of the “Buddy Rich” scholarship, Peter Buck attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, earning his Bachelor of Music Performance-Percussion degree in 1988. After relocating to Los Angeles and twenty years of professional performances, he pursued graduate school and received the “Thornton Award” scholarship from the University of Southern California where he conferred his Master of Music-Jazz Studies degree in 2008.

In addition to Buck’s diverse and riveting performance career, he is an accomplished composer. In 2008, he released a masterful compilation of jazz grooves debuted as Buck’s Vibe and followed it with a smooth euphony of intricate instrumentation and a few vocals debuted as Buck’s Vibe 2 in 2011. Both albums are critically acclaimed, inclusive of a 4-star review in Downbeat Magazine. Buck’s third album of original jazz compositions, Smells Like Music, released in 2018, “takes your breath away!” Buck connects family and life experiences to melodious reflections of authenticity.

Buck’s extensive career in the music business has taken him on tour throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Highlights include performances with Keb’ Mo’, Bonnie Raitt, Ice-T, Michelle Shocked (CD “Deep Natural”), Stevie Wonder, Joe Sample, James Tormé, Judith Hill, Guitar Shorty, Anthony Wilson, Thelma Houston, Barbara Morrison (CD’s “By Request” Vol. 1 & 2), Freda Payne, King Floyd, Donny McCaslin, Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, Clay Jenkins, Bill Perkins, Bob Sheppard, and Gilbert Castellanos. He has given performances and master classes at universities across the country. His endorsements include Sabian Cymbals and Aquarian Drumheads.

Buck, a composer, drummer, educator, and a certified distance learning professor, joined the faculty of the CSUDH Department of Music in fall 2019. Since 2005, he has been teaching private percussion lessons, Jazz History, Jazz Improvisation, Music Theory, Music Fundamentals, Music Appreciation, American Popular Music, Rock History, directed a college Jazz Band, and is currently the Program Coordinator of Applied Music and Director of a Percussion Ensemble at a Cypress College.

or email him at drummerbuc@msn.com