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Eric Novak

A self taught multi-instrumentalist, Eric began as a classically trained oboe player when he was 11. In college, sparked by his new interests in recording and creating original music, he began to pick up other instruments such as piano, organ, saxophone and then later, flute and bass. In 2016, after graduating college, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. In the span of just a year, he has managed to work in a variety of genres, from indie, southern, progressive rock, jazz, neo soul, funk, rap, pop, psychedelic, electronic and modern experimental styles with a constantly changing cast of musicians. He has played in a variety of DIY venues, larger venues like Lincoln Hall, Canopy Club, and Double Door to more obscure places like the 99th floor of the Sears Tower for SoFar Sounds and party venues in jazz trios and quartets. He has also worked in the studio with engineer Rick Barnes, who has worked with talents like Maceo Parker, Brian Wilson, Chance the Rapper and more. Inspired equally by the past and the present, he draws from The Lounge Lizards, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Badbadnotgood, Miles Davis, Parliament/Funkadelic, Frank Zappa, Charles Mingus, Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits, Charles Mingus, Colin Stetson, David Bowie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and the Doors. He consistently is finding ways to combine the experimental or the unexpected with the accessible in a way that makes anyone think without them feeling too uncomfortable or distant. In addition to being a sideman, Eric also works on recording and producing his own music. Under the moniker Dissonant Dessert, he has created music coming from psychedelic jazz to alternately tuned pop music. His debut album "Little Tribblets In Every Room" was released in 2016 and he is currently wrapping up recording on his second album "Pray You Don't Become A Man". He is a constantly adapting musician who enjoys being on the edge, and thinking on his feet, without ever losing touch of who he is.

Currently a member of Chicago based bands:

Red Scarves: keyboards, alto & tenor sax/flute, vocals Cordoba: tenor sax, keyboards, vocals Jovan & The Land: tenor sax/flute Sonny Apollo & Xylo: sax Tamarie T & The Elektra Kumpany: tenor sax Pastor Funkpleez: tenor sax D.R.A.A.: tenor sax

Previous member/have worked with:

Parent: tenor sax/flute Glad Rags: tenor sax Mykele Deville: tenor sax Forgotten Tropics: tenor sax/flute, vocals Sink Slow: tenor sax

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Album Review

Rami Atassi: Dancing Together

Read "Dancing Together" reviewed by Gareth Thompson


The Chicago-based guitarist Rami Atassi went on a south American journey with his wife to explore Mexico and Colombia. Amid the daily background music, he heard different styles and rhythmic foundations than those he was used to and took percussion lessons locally. All this later began seeping into his solo work. A Syrian-American, Atassi founded the Cosmic Dance Band in 2022, blending sounds of the Middle East with jazz harmony and modern sonics. This group and its combined ...

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

-Teaches oboe -Teaches saxophone -Teaches bass Available hours: Monday-Wednesday: mornings and afternoons Friday-Sunday: mornings and afternoons Rates: $20 for half hour $30 for full hour

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Music

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