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Eric Alexander (jazz saxophonist)

Eric Alexander 2008
Eric Alexander (2012 in Denmark)

Eric Alexander (born August 4, 1968)[1] is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. Having placed second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition behind Joshua Redman and ahead of Chris Potter and Tim Warfield, he was soon signed by a record label and has since recorded over 20 albums as a leader and over 300 as a sideman. [2]

Early life and education

Alexander was born in Illinois.[3] He began as a classical musician, studying alto saxophone at Indiana University with Eugene Rousseau in 1986. He soon switched to jazz and the tenor saxophone, however, and transferred to William Paterson University, where he studied with Harold Mabern, Rufus Reid, Joe Lovano, Gary Smulyan, Norman Simmons, Steve Turre and others.[4]

Career

Alexander finished second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.[5] Later that year, he made his recording debut with Charles Earland and released his debut album on Delmark the following year.[6]

Alexander has worked with many jazz musicians, including Chicago pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Idris Muhammad, and guitarist Pat Martino. He is part of Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet with Peter Bernstein, and Joe Farnsworth. He has recorded and toured extensively with the sextet, One for All, and The Battle with Vincent Herring.[7]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Steve Davis

With Charles Earland

With Joe Farnsworth

With David Hazeltine

With Vincent Herring

With Randy Johnston

With Mike LeDonne

With Harold Mabern

With Jimmy McGriff

With New York All-Stars

With One for All (co-leader with Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, Joe Farnsworth)

With Cecil Payne

With Reeds and Deeds (co-leader with Grant Stewart)

With Irene Reid

With Jim Rotondi

With Larry Willis

With others

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Gary (2002). "Alexander, Eric (Wells)". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The new Grove dictionary of jazz, vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries. pp. 26–27. ISBN 1561592846.
  2. ^ Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. p. 7. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.
  3. ^ "Eric Alexander | jazzleadsheets.com by Second Floor Music". jazzleadsheets.com. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Massarik, Jack (April 2008). "Tenor of the Times". Jazzwise. Jazzwise Publication Ltd. p. 10.
  5. ^ "Hancock Institute of Jazz". Hancock Institute of Jazz. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "Eric Alexander | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Collar, Matt (2010). "AllMusic". One for All. Rovi Corporation.
  8. ^ Eric Alexander "Leap of Faith" release
  9. ^ Eric Alexander, With Strings. Review by Alex Henderson, NYCJR, January 2020, Issue 213, page 14 - retrieved 9 January 2020.

Further reading

External links