Nick Starts Playing with Critical Measures July 9, 2010 - Nick has started playing again with his old pal from Sycamore Park, Sean England, in a Petaluma-based funk jazz group called Critical Measures. The band features Todd Bugbee on guitar, Groundation bassist Ryan Newman holding down the low end, and Cayce Carnahan on trumpet. Come see us playing in the North Bay!
Nick Moves His Studio to Sausalito, CA March 1, 2010 - Activision shut down Underground Development, where Nick held the position of Audio Director, in February. As a result, Nick has moved his studio to a new space back in Marin County, where he belongs. The room is spacious, with high ceilings, and has all his vintage keyboards set up, as well as both analog and digital recording capabilities.
Nick Begins Writing for Gearwire Feb 15, 2010 - Nick has begun writing articles and reviews for Gearwire.com. He will be focusing on vintage keyboard emulators, synthesizers, and recording equipment.
Analog Keyboards Blog Makes its Debut Feb 10, 2010 - Nick has just added a blog section to the website, that is also available directly through the URL www.analogkeyboards.com. It focuses on vintage keyboards, DIY audio, and recording techniques, and also holds links to lots of articles Nick has written for various magazines. Go have a look!
Nick Peck Organ Trio reveals their work on Guitar Hero Van Halen Dec 22, 2009 - Now that the video game Guitar Hero Van Halen has been released, we thought it would be a good time to report that all three members of the Nick Peck organ trio worked extensively on the game. Nick mixed all the songs and directed the audio production for the game, while Peter Thomas created the note tracks for many of the drum tracks and assisted Nick with the mixes. Bill Wolter created note tracks for the guitar, bass and vocal lines for many of the songs. If you like Guitar Hero, be sure to check it out.
Another Peck joins the world Aug 18, 2009 - Nick and Agnes are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Natalie. Baby and mom are happy, healthy, and doing fine. I wonder what instrument she is going to play...
Drummer Peter Thomas joins Nick Peck organ trio Oct 10, 2008 - Mountain View-based Peter Thomas has joined the group as a permanent member. His sense of groove and phenomenal touch are terrific. Stay tuned for more information on gigs and recordings as we start to rev the group into high gear.
DIY Wiki added to site Sept 1, 2008 - Nick recently acquired a Soundcraft Ghost mixing console that he is refurbishing. A wiki has been created to cover this and other DIY audio electronics projects.
Cover songs page added to site June 5, 2008 - We have added a page dedicated to cover songs that have been recorded by Nick and crew over the years. Go have a listen!
Nick is featured performer on Doodlin Lounge Radio Show Oct 2, 2007 - Pete Fallico, a long-time supporter of jazz organ, featured Nick's work in tonight's broadcast. It included about 18 minutes of interview, as well as most of the album itself. Pete has been broadcasting on KUSP-FM, a public radio affiliate in Santa Cruz, California, since 1980. You can find out more about Pete's work at Doodlin Lounge. Listen to the entire show
Fire Trucks I Have Known has Arrived Sept 12, 2007 - The new album is here! It lives, cleverly embedded in cardboard and plastic, and waiting patiently to be engulfed by your CD player in order to release its stream of grooving, funked up acid jazz. See the music section for more!
New band begins rehearsal Sept 8, 2007 - In support of the new album, Nick has joined forces with guitarist Bill Wolter and drummer Jim Diaz to form the Nick Peck Organ Trio. The band is practicing up the material from the album, as well as many other faves, in anticipation of a CD release party. Watch these pages for more details.
Is it soup yet? Sept 6, 2007 - It is! Fire Trucks I Have Known has been pressed, and is rushing towards San Mateo as this very story is being written. We anticipate a September 12 delivery date. We will publish distribution information at that time.
Album finally done! July 18, 2007 - Nick and crew took Fire Trucks I Have Known to the Record Plant in Sausalito, California today, where it was mastered by legendary engineer John Cuniberti. The album sounds just great, and we are all delighted. Album artwork has already begun, and as soon as it is finished, the record will be sent out for duplication. Watch these pages for more info!
Nick sits in with Inner Ear Brigade June 20, 2007 - Nick will be taking the keyboard seat with Berkeley-based avant proggers Inner Ear Brigade at the Starry Plough in Berkeley this month. The gig is at 9PM on Sat, June 30. The quintet specializes in challenging, thoughtful instrumental art rock. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Jake Langley plays on Fire Trucks I Have Known Jan 29, 2007 - Jake Langley, New York session cat and guitarist in the Joey DeFrancesco trio, came in today to lay down superb guitar on three tracks for Nick's upcoming album. Joey and the boys were finishing up a California tour nearby, and Jake took the opportunity to get in a recording session before his plane flight. It's just terrific to have an artist of Jake's caliber grace the album with his incredible musicianship. In the week between booking the session and the actual recording, Nick wrote and recorded a new tune specifically for Jake.
UBT website undergoing new year's revamp Jan 3, 2007 - We are giving the site a bit of a facelift - cleaning up and reorganizing, as well as adding more content. Look for video footage, more music, and other goodies to come online shortly.
New Nick Peck quartet to play debut performance at Grant and Greens Dec 24, 2006 - Nick has assembled a new quartet to play a show with the Seth Chaplas at Grant and Greens in San Francisco on Thursday, Dec 28. The music will be organ-driven jazz-funk (what a surprise!), combining Nick originals and some tasty standards. The new band consists of Jim Diaz on drums, Bill Wolter on guitar, and Vicki Grossi on bass. The music starts at 9PM. We will see you there!
Three more Sycamore songs mixed Dec 10, 2006 - Three tunes from the August recording sessions are now mixed and ready to go. We are moving forward towards a new CD release in Spring of '07.
Mixing has begun for Seth Chapla Debut Album Nov 5, 2006 - Guitarist Seth Chapla has recorded a fine album with his band, The Seth Chaplas (www.myspace.com/thesethchaplas). Nick is helping Seth out by mixing some tunes for the album. Two songs have now been mixed, with more on the way.
New studio wired and ready for action Nov 1, 2006 - Wiring is now virtually complete in the new studio. The Real Trap acoustic absorbers have arrived and been installed, making the room sound just great. This is my 8th major studio revision in the last 23 years, and I have to say that it is the most comfortable, intuitive place to work yet. Huzzah!
Nick puts up a Myspace page Oct 9, 2006 - Myspace has become quite a phenomenal method for musicians and music lovers to connect up. Ah, the wonders of the internet! Though the most complete info about Nick's music can be found here, you can check out his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/nickpeck
Studio is up and running again Sep 25, 2006 - The studio is back online again in a skeletal manner. Sycamore Park's August recording sessions have been transferred to a brand new RADAR V Nyquist digital multitrack recording system. High quality acoustic paneling from Real Traps, as well as EWI Tourcase equipment racks, will arrive this week, at which point final wiring for the studio will begin. We expect to be fully operational by mid-October.
Nick moves! Sep 1, 2006 - After living in Mill Valley on and off for 25 years, Nick has sold his home and moved his family to San Mateo, California. He is rebuilding the studio in a new location, and will resume work on the Sycamore Park album within the month.
Sycamore Park goes into the studio Aug 10, 2006 - The band has just completed recording 4 hours of material for an album. The music was recorded in the jazz tradition: As a group performing simultaneously, with minimal overdubs. 11 keepers emerged from these sessions, which will then be edited and mixed by Nick and co. in the Fall.
Sycamore Park starts the 2006 gig push Feb 26, 2006 - The band started playing more North Bay club gigs last week with a Saturday night at the Black Cat in Penngrove. Next Friday and Saturday, they will play at Pier 23 in San Francisco and Cafe Amsterdam in Fairfax, respectively. Loads of applications have gone out for various festivals and music series around Marin for the Summer, and we expect to start having a heavier schedule as the weather gets warmer.
New song recorded Jan 1, 2006 - Nick took advantage of a Christmas break from sound designing the upcoming X-Men 3 video game to compose and record a new tune. Entitleed 'Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out', it features grooving Hammond, Rhodes, and Clav, as well as a stellar jazz guitar solo by Sycamore Park's Pete Fogle. Check out the mp3 posted in the music section.
Mill Valley Jazz Collective reunites after hiatus Dec 15, 2005 - After a few months off, the MVJC is reuniting for a gig on January 7, 2006 at their favorite hang, the Sausalito Cruising Club. Sycamore's Pete Fogle is taking the seat previously held by amazing saxman John Campbell.
Sycamore Park plays first gig May 6, 2005 - After a year of rehearsal, Sycamore Park performed in public for the first time at the Sausalito Cruising Club's Cinco de Mayo party. It was a great, low key way to take the boat out of the harbor for its maiden voyage, and a splendid time was had by all. The band is now hard at work sending out promo packets to begin playing local gigs on a regular basis.
Sycamore Park mixes three songs at Skywalker Sound April 8, 2005 - Sycamore Park recorded three songs to 2-inch 16-track analog tape in March, then mixed them on the Skywalker Sound scoring stage on April 8. Ace engineer Dann Thompson handled the board. Download the mp3 from the Sycamore Park area of the music section.
Another song recorded for the new album January 20, 2005 - Nick has just put the finishing touches on the final mixdown of a new tune, Magic Alex and His Green Light Rangers. It was recorded and mixed in the analog domain, featuring a host of great players. Download the mp3 from the current recordings area of the music section.
Julian Peck is born! January 10, 2005 - Julian Nicolas Peck was born at Kaiser hospital, San Francisco today. The little critter made his grand entrance after an 18 hour labor looking none the worse for wear. He was 7lbs,10oz, and 20 1/2 inches long, with all fingers, toes, and other protruberances intact. Agnes and Nick are beside themselves with joy, and learning how to decipher the cryptic vocalization known as WAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Julian's piano lessons start next week in earnest.
Mill Valley Jazz Collective celebrates 2nd anniversary December 15, 2004 - The jazz project celebrates two years of music and fun, and rolls into our third year as a solid quartet. John, Greg, Mike, and Nick are preparing a new flyer and demo CD to fill 2005 with local gigs in the Marin and Sonoma area.
Funk project gets a name: Sycamore Park November 8, 2004 - We have finally decided on a new name for the funk project formally known as Just Add Water. After tossing about endless allusions to Hammond organs, Frank Zappa songs, and late sixties soul jazz, we settled on Sycamore Park. Why? It is a nice park near our rehearsal/recording studio. The trees are pretty. Particularly in the fall, as their leaves are turning.
Black Wednesday November 3, 2004 - We are dumbfounded and horrified at the results of the U.S. election yesterday. It seems inconceivable that the architect of an unjust war could possibly convince the American people to keep him in office. We offer our condolences to the hundreds of millions around the world who are as sickened and shocked as we are. We mourn for the future dead and the assured encroachments upon our liberties that will take place in the next four years.
Guitarist found for funk project October 20, 2004 - After a considerable audition process, Pete Fogle of Petaluma joins the funk project as guitarist. Pete is a formally trained jazz guitarist, equally at home playing standards, bop, or funk. We are delighted to welcome him on board.
Just Add Water revamps, auditions guitarists October 11, 2004 - Jim Diaz and Chris Meek have left Just Add Water to focus on Trilogy, their Rush tribute band. Nick and bassist Joe Nemzer quickly recruited funk maven and long-time Marin musician Sean England to fill the drummer seat. The trio have been hard at work putting together a new book of material, as well as auditioning guitarists. As of this writing, they've auditioned five candidates, and are in the process of making the final decision.
Nick welcomes analog back into the recording studio July 15, 2004 - After feeling frustrated by the lack of physicality, middling sound quality, and endless choices offered by the digital medium, Nick has just completed a major addition to the recording studio. He has purchased an Ampex MM-1200 2-inch 16 track analog recorder from the glory days of the seventies, along with a Midas Venice 320 analog mixing console. Mixdowns take place to a 1/4-inch 2-track Ampex AG-440 with Dolby SR noise reduction. Two months of wiring has been completed, everything has been tuned up, and recording on the new system has begun. It sounds fabulous!
Agnes and Nick are expecting! May 20, 2004 - Agnes and Nick Peck are now in the family way. Their baby is due January 12, 2005. The couple are happy as clams!
Just Add Water begins rehearsals May 1, 2004 - Just Add Water, a new jazz/funk band, began rehearsals of original and cover material this week. Somewhere in the realm of Jimmy Smith, Maceo Parker, Soulive, and Robert Walter, Just Add Water\'s goals are local gigs and recording. The band consists of Jim Diaz on drums, Chris Meek on guitar, Joe Nemzer on bass, and Nick Peck on Hammond/Rhodes.
Nick begins work on a new large scale electronic composition Jan 5, 2004 - Nick began work in January on a new avant garde piece of musique concrete entitled Composition in Red and Blue. Inspired by a work he saw in London's new Museum of Modern Art, the piece is 52 minutes long, broken into four movements. As of August 2004, the work was about 3/4 complete.
Mill Valley Jazz Collective to play Lucaspalooza 6 Apr 2, 2003 - The jazz organ quartet will be playing a private concert at George Lucas Industrial Light and Magic on May 30. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Mill Valley Jazz Collective plays St Paddy's Day Mar 17, 2003 - The Mill Valley Jazz Collective played a St Patrick's day party at the Sausalio Cruising Club. Bop and bossas were served up with the corned beef and cabbage, and 70 mph gale force winds knocked everyone for an even bigger loop than the beer.
First song completed for new album Feb 10, 2002 - Benny Ha-Ha in a resort town is the first song completed for the new Under the Big Tree album. See the music section for an mp3.
Saxophonist John Campbell joins Mill Valley Jazz Collective Dec 1, 2002 - John Campbell, who works for the San Francisco Symphony, joins the NPQ playing tenor and alto. Welcome, John!
Under the Big Tree Website put Online Nov 13, 2002 - Under the Big Tree, website for the various musical projects of Nick Peck and friends, has gone live. Though still in its infancy, the site will be a repository of information about Nick's musical projects, past and present. Thanks for stopping by!
Mill Valley Jazz Collective plays first gig Oct 30, 2002 - The Mill Valley Jazz Collective makes its debut performance at a Sausalito Yacht Club. The beer flowed, the jazz funked, and a great time was had by all.