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Eric Marienthal

When Eric was just 10 years old he used to dream of becoming a professional musician, to make his own records and tour around the world. When he first started playing his saxophone in 5th grade he really had no idea what all that even meant. Well, after having performed in over 60 different countries, recorded 10 solo CD's and playing on hundreds of other records, films, television shows and commercial jingles, Eric has definitely exceeded those musical goals he set for himself way back then.

After graduating high school in 1976, Eric went on to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. There he studied with the legendary saxophone teacher, Joe Viola. . When he left Berklee, he had achieved the highest proficiency rating given by the school. In 1995, Eric was awarded the Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1980, Eric moved to New Orleans and played with legendary Al Hurt and his band for about a year. After Al's band ended, Eric returned to L.A. and a spot opened up in the Disneyland Band and it was there that Eric met many of the studio musicians that he still works with today. While working as a musician at Disneyland, Chick Corea heard him play and asked him to join the Elekric Band. Needless to say, Eric didn't stay in the Disney Band long after that. The Elektric band went on to record 6 albums, won 2 Grammys and travel to every corner of the globe.

After the Elekric Band's "Light Years" CD was released, Eric was offered his first solo record contract with GRP records. Chick produced Eric's first record, "Voices of The Heart." His next 2 CD's, "Roundtrip" and "Crossroads" were produced by Eric and his long time friend and bass playing giant, John Patitucci. It was during that time that Eric became one of the most recorded sax players in contemporary jazz. He played on over 50 GRP records alone including records by Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Don Grusin, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, GRP All-Star Big Band and The Rippingtons. Eric juggled being a member of Lee Ritenour's band, David Benoit's band, Chick's Elektric band and his own band.

In 1991, Eric decided to call upon two musicians whom he had always wanted to work with, Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets, to write with and produce his "Oasis" CD. It ended up being a great collaboration and one of Eric's most successful records. It made it into the top 5 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts and 2 of the tunes made it into the top 10 of the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts. Eric went on to record two more records for GRP; "One Touch" and "Street Dance", both produced by Jeff Lorber.

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Album Review

Richard Williams: Hollywood Christmas

Read "Hollywood Christmas" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Ready or not, Christmas music is on the way. And this is Christmas music, old school. Do you remember The Andy Williams Christmas Album? Then, as the old joke goes, there may be fire in the hearth, but snow on the roof, because that was 1963, at least the first version. This recording, for sure, is a walk down memory lane and will produce a lot of nostalgia in listeners of a certain age. For some folks, that ...

1
Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 3

Read "Drumology Volume 3" reviewed by Jim Worsley


The beat goes on. Yes, that was a big hit for Sonny & Cher back in 1967. However, here it references the third volume of drummer Rob Silverman's Drumology series. The formula seems to be working, so why not keep pounding them out? Again all proceeds go to the Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. And the core band stays intact, with Silverman being joined by brother Michael Silverman on piano and keyboards, bassist Larry ...

5
Album Review

Chick Corea: The Montreux Years

Read "The Montreux Years" reviewed by Doug Collette


If there is anything more ambitious than curating an extensive, comprehensive collection covering the history of an artist, it is collating selected works which vividly outline a particular timeline or theme. Chick Corea's The Montreux Years is a fine example of the latter; this seventh edition in the archive series devoted to the iconic festival not only reflects the late composer and pianist's technical skills, but also his eclectic stylistic tastes. And that is not to mention his fondness for ...

2
Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 2

Read "Drumology Volume 2" reviewed by Jim Worsley


It would appear that Rob Silverman is on to something. With Drumology (Autumn Hill Records, 2020) having made some noise, Silverman powers on to Drumology Volume 2. Brother and keyboardist Michael Silverman returned to the scene along with bassist Larry Kornfeld, and keyboardist Jay Oliver, to join drummer Silverman as the core quartet of musicians. The brothers wrote eight pieces of music that were cultivated from a drummer's perspective. Every song is tailored to take advantage of the particular skill ...

27
Album Review

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: The Reset

Read "The Reset" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Gordon Goodwin's dynamic Big Phat Band rumbles back onto the scene with The Reset, a somewhat less-than-big-phat album whose dual purpose, according to Goodwin, is to express hope and gratitude in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and to honor one of Goodwin's mentors, the late Sammy Nestico. Goodwin calls the album an EP, whose twenty-eight minute playing time places it in roughly the same ballpark as a vinyl LP from the good old days before digital recording and streaming. ...

6
Album Review

Ptah Williams, Larry Kornfeld, Rob Silverman: Rhythm City

Read "Rhythm City" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Herbie Hancock's “Chameleon" is about as familiar as any jazz tune could be. If you are going to cover such a classic, you best have your reimagining skills ship shape and polished. A trio consisting of pianist Ptah Williams, drummer Rob Silverman, and bassist Larry Kornfeld was up to the challenge with this and several other well-known songs. The three St. Louis jazzmen delivered “Chameleon" with a funked-up keyboard stretch which focuses on the complete work, not just bouncing off ...

5
Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology

Read "Drumology" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Master drum clinician Rob Silverman, known for his explorative drumming and absorbing instructional videos, teamed up with an impressive line-up of top-flight jazz and fusion drummers to collide the study of drumming with the presentation of original songs penned by Silverman and his brother Michael Silverman. The result, Drumology, is a blend of science, rhythm and melody. For the project, Silverman invited an array of drumming superstars that included Dave Weckl, Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, and Steve Smith.

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Houston Person, Nevermore Jazz Ball, Eric Marienthal, and more

Jazz this week: Houston Person, Nevermore Jazz Ball, Eric Marienthal, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes one of the most popular swing dance festivals in the Midwest, a couple of stellar saxophonists, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, November 1 Veteran tenor saxophonist Houston Person returns to lead a quartet for the first of four nights at Jazz at the Bistro. Person, who will turn 83 in November, remains a canny master of bop, blues and ballads, and still works as ...

1

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Freddy Cole & Harry Allen, Eric Marienthal, The New Mastersounds, and more

Jazz this week: Freddy Cole & Harry Allen, Eric Marienthal, The New Mastersounds, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

There are a number of notable shows from visiting jazz and creative music performers coming up this week in St. Louis, offering something for fans of genres ranging from straight-ahead swing to fusion to experimental, free improv, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, May 25 Pianist and singer Freddy Cole and his band, teamed once again with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, return to Jazz at the Bistro for the first evening of a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday. ...

Music Industry

Jazz this week: Karrin Allyson, Olivia Block, Eric Marienthal, Tommy Halloran, and more

Jazz this week: Karrin Allyson, Olivia Block, Eric Marienthal, Tommy Halloran, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a typically varied assortment of sounds and styles, with a couple of notable touring performers in the middle of the week. So, without further delay, let's go to the highlights... Thursday, November 12 The Gaslight Cabaret Festival fall series continues with an encore performance from the duo Sleepy Kitty at the Gaslight Theater. Also on Thursday, the SIUE jazz faculty will feature saxophonist Jason Swagler in a concert ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Joe Sample Trio, Eric Marienthal and Bach to the Future, Niu Rosebud Foundation Jazztet, and More

Jazz This Week: Joe Sample Trio, Eric Marienthal and Bach to the Future, Niu Rosebud Foundation Jazztet, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

With last weekend's record snowfall melted, and more seasonable weather forecast for this weekend, it should be a good time in St. Louis to get out and hear some live jazz and creative music. Let's see what's coming up over the next few days... Tonight, Joe Sample and his trio begin a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. Though perhaps still best known as the pianist for the Crusaders (nee Jazz Crusaders), Sample also has had ...

Performance / Tour

Eric Marienthal to Perform with Bach to the Future on Friday, March 29 at the Sheldon

Eric Marienthal to Perform with Bach to the Future on Friday, March 29 at the Sheldon

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal will join forces with St. Louis' Bach to the Future for a performance at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 29 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Organized by Bach to the Future keyboardist Mike Silverman, the “Autumn Hill Jazz Festival," as the show is being billed, also will feature singer/trumpeter Dawn Weber's trio and pianist Ptah Williams. (Autumn Hill is the label name used by Silverman and BTTF to release their recordings.) Marienthal is a Berklee graduate who first ...

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Event

Actress Lydia Cornell Records Psa For Upcoming Eric Marienthal Charity Event

Source: Lauren Rogers

Award-winning actress, author, teen mentor, talk-show host, comedienne and public speaker, Lydia Cornell grew up in America’s living rooms. An international celebrity best known for her starring role as the daughter of TV legend Ted Knight in the hit ABC series Too Close for Comfort, Cornell was one of the most popular sex symbols of the '80s, playing virginal blonde bombshell cheerleader Sara Rush. The series airs daily on Tribune Broadcasting’s new channel Antenna TV. This year Cornell has worked ...

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Recording

New Album From Eric Marienthal Out Now

New Album From Eric Marienthal Out Now

Source: On Target Media Group

The new full length album from Los Angeles based contemporary Jazz sax veteran Eric Marienthal titled Just Around The Corner is available in stores & online NOW.

Released this week on Peak Records (Concord Music Group),'Just Just Around The Corner showcases Marienthal's passion, versatility and brilliance as one of the leading contemporary jazz musicians, with 10 fresh, pop-influenced instrumental contemporary jazz tracks.

“Just Around The Corner is a melody-driven, straightforward pop instrumental date that honestly reflects the musical groove I'm ...

Wesley Crispus
saxophone
Nikos Koulouris
saxophone

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Drumology Volume 2

Autumn Hill
2022

buy

Drumology Volume 3

Autumn Hill
2022

buy

Hollywood Christmas

Self-Produced
2022

buy

The Reset

Music of Content
2021

buy

Double Dealin'

Shanachie Records
2020

buy

The Reset

From: The Reset
By Eric Marienthal

Videos

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