Peter O’Brien is a New York State native and has been playing the drums since he was able to sit up at the set. After high school, Peter dove headfirst into the New York City jazz scene, garnering the attention of drummers Jo Jones Jr., Al Foster, Jimmy Lovelace, and Michael Carvin (with whom Peter studied in 1978–1979). After a period of sitting in at jam sessions and gigging around the city, Peter went on the road with various showbands touring the US. In 1982, he toured the US with Brother Jack McDuff, and from 1984–1985 all over the US and Canada with the Edgar Winter Band.