Born: September 19, 1973 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric
Damian Erskine is not your ordinary bass player. Damian is known for his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the likes of • Peter Erskine • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis • Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb • Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com “Shed Sessionz Vol. 1” DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities. Damian is also an adjunct professor at both Portland State University and Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon.
“Good fusion is hard to come by, but thanks to people like bassist Erskine, it’s making a comeback...” Kyle O' Brian - Jazz Society of Oregon
“...Hard-hitting...fluent..” Bill Milkowski - Jazz Times
“despite his incredible technique, he never overplays and instead stays within service to the songs... ...I suspect with the talent he shows here, we will be hearing much more from this player/composer. ” Brad Walseth - Jazz Chicago
“The instrumental interplay is airtight and based on complex polyrhythms, like a cross between Return to Forever and the Fania All-Stars” Burning Ambulance - Burning Ambulance
“ANYONE WHO HEARS DAMIAN ERSKINE’S new album So To Speak is about to find out what both keyed-in locals and hardcore jazz/fusion bass enthusiasts already know: There’s a world-class virtuoso bassist living in Portland, Oregon, and most nights he’s out there hustling like the rest of us.” Bryan Beller - Bass Player Magazine
“A modern groove master with top notch tecnhique” Mike Flynn - Bass Guitar UK
“Bassist Erskine is an extraordinary talent...” Layla Macoran - NY Cultural Examiner
“bassist Damian Erskine’s new CD, So to Speak, is a supremely inspired effort, rendered by some of Portland’s best jazz, funk, Latin and soul musicians. His compositions are a master class in groovology, ridiculously strong meter, inventive melodies and a solid underlayment” Don Campbell - Oregon Music News
“Rhythmic mastery and the Erskine name continue to be synonymous with Damian Erskine's smoking performances on So To Speak.” Dan Bilawsky - All About Jazz
“Damian Erskine leading a hip group with a Latin-fusion influence on a host of new tunes, all of them composed by Erskine. He’s the Man and proves it in his inventive compositions and in his imaginative ideas and performance. ” Bob Gish - Jazz Inside NY
“There is no denying his chops; the syncopated lines are fun to follow and keep your head moving constantly.” Joey Flores - MyOwnFm
“Erskine was in supreme command of his band and his music and his bass. The lightning fast runs we have come to expect from him were compounded by odd-meters, large orchestral statements, uncut funk, latin grooves and complex yet completely accessible… a powerfully enjoyable experience.” Tom D'Antoni - Oregon Music News
“Damian Erskine’s “So to Speak,” is simply flawless, rhythmically mesmerizing and underneath it all melodically transparent! “So to Speak,” by Erskine escapes the spoils of commercialism untarnished to unveil a musical gem that want disappoint even the hard to please music enthusiasts! ” Rob Young - The Urban Flux
“A high octane contemporary jazz fusillade that has it on the ball at every turn. In case you thought Victor Wooten is as good as it gets for jazz bass, you would be right, but now Wooten has a worthy, new bookend. Hot stuff.” Chris Spector - Midwest Record
“Damian Erskine's significant facility, big pocket and harmonic awareness are what comes when talent and hard work collide.” Johnathan Herrera - Bass Player Magazine
“....Damian has such a refreshing and individual bass style. I thought of Jaco, Linley Marthe, Richard Bona and others but he certainly has his own voice and is someone who, make no mistake, it’s time you checked out. But this is not just a record for bassists. This is simply a great record.” Phil Wain - NoTreble.com
“..Trios showcases Damian's musicality that does never gets overshadowed by his serious chops. Recommended !!” Abstract Logix
“...Great playing, and gorgeous tone throughout” Bill Murphy & J.D. Considine - Bass Guitar
So To Speak
notneK Music
2010
Trios
notneK Music
2007
As A Side Musician
Joy Luck
Peter Erskine New Trio
Fuzzy Music
2011
Personnel: Peter Erskine: Drums Vardan Ovsepian: Piano Damian Erskine: Bass.
A Good Thing
Gino Vannelli
2009
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