In the January 2001 issue of Cadence, Frank Rubolino says
Bob subtly dictates the direction of the combo, controlling without being
overt, allowing the group members free rein while the undercurrent of his
drumming forms the backbone of the tunes.
In the December 1999 issue of Cadence, Jim Santella refers to Bob Peckman as
"a tasteful drummer who colors the arrangements with Art Blakey trademarks
and a variety of textures". Bob grew up near New York, listening to Art
Blakey, Shelley Manne, Ed Thigpen and Max Roach as well as the New York Latin
bands. He also played at Les Paul's house with son Russ. By age 17 he was
imitating the great jazz drummers and booking
straight-ahead gigs using seasoned professionals in the area.
Bob continued
to perform in the local jazz scene while earning B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees
in physics. During the number of years that he was a jazz-playing physics
professor, his early love of Latin music was rekindled. He studied Latin
percussion with Paul Patterson and started integrating the Latin styles into
his set playing. When he moved into industry, he continued performing and
exploring the Latin influences that were becoming an integral part of his
personal sound on the drum set.
Bob played a Billy Taylor clinic for the Roanoke Symphony
which forever changed his playing style. He has also studied with Robert
Jospe, but is especially endebted to his coach, mentor and friend, Ronnie
Free, who continues to teach him to find his own way and self.
Eventually his industrial job got in the way of jazz and
he gave up his day gig. Since that time Bob has performed
throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with Harry Allen, Walter Bell,
Royce Campbell, Eddie "Will" Davis, Helane Fontaine, Vincent Gross, Al Jeter,
Gary Klein,
Lisanne Lyons, Hans Mantel, Lenny Marcus, Rene Marie, Chip McNeill,
Gary Moran, Stephanie Nakasian, Hod O'Brien, and Alan Watson, and toured in
Europe with his groups. He recorded Straight Ahead and
In the Pocket as a group leader and performed on
John Bain's Epitome of Cool and Karl Kimmel's jazz CD
Absolutely Chanukah. Bob's third recording as a leader, with
co-leader, Vincent Gross, is Alone Together. The
fourth, Go With The Flow, was made with Jerry Weldon, Royce
Campbell, and Gary Moran.
Bob also wrote a program for children about citizenship, jazz, and the
history of jazz, How Playing Jazz Is Like Being a Good American
Citizen. It was presented several time for Young Audiences of Virginia.