Michael Eckroth is an American jazz pianist, arranger, and composer from Phoenix, Arizona, particularly known for his work in Latin jazz.[1][2][3] He was a member of jazz-rock guitarist John Scofield's New Quartet from 2010-2012.[3] Currently, he is the co-writer, arranger, and pianist for Cuban and American mambo big band Orquesta Akokán,[1] whose self-titled debut album from Daptone Records was nominated in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[4]
Michael Eckroth was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is from a musical family and is the brother of keyboardist Rachel Eckroth.[5][6]
He formally studied jazz throughout his career, receiving his B.A. at the University of Arizona and receiving his M.A. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[7][8][9] He began pursuing his Ph.D. at New York University in 2006.[9] During this time, he was the recipient of the Díaz-Ayala Library Travel Grant at Florida International University under a U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant in 2012 to conduct research on Cuban music.[10] He later completed his Ph.D. in 2016, writing his dissertation on Cuban piano solos of the 1940s.[1]
While studying at New York University, Eckroth became involved in a number of musical projects as a pianist. While Eckroth was a student in an ensemble class led by jazz-rock guitarist John Scofield, Scofield invited Eckroth to join his New Quartet with drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Ben Street from 2010-2012.[3][11] Eckroth appears in the live concert DVD of the group's 2010 concert in Paris, France at jazz club New Morning.[11]
Eckroth formed the Latin vocal trio La Voz de Tres with Chilean vocalist Natalia Bernal and guitarist Jason Ennis in 2008.[12][13] The group released their self-titled debut album in 2010 and their second album Sueños y Delirios in 2015.[14] Around this time, Eckroth also performed with jazz multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless and Brazilian guitarist Aliéksey Vianna. The trio released a live concert DVD from Brazil in 2009 titled Ebano.[15] Additionally, Eckroth appeared on Morrie Louden's album Time Piece, which featured singer Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke.[16]
In 2015, Eckroth released a solo album of Cuban music titled Piano and Rhythm.[17] Later in 2016, Eckroth released a duo album with bassist Ron McClure titled Hello Stars.[3] Eckroth appeared on Ron McClure's Trio album Hope and Knowledge as well.[18] Eckroth also appeared on saxophonist Dan Pratt's Quartet album Hymn for the Happy Man with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Greg Hutchinson.[19]
Starting in 2016, Eckroth formed the Cuban and American mambo big band Orquesta Akokán as its co-writer, arranger, and pianist with singer José "Pepito" Gómez and composer Jacob Plasse.[citation needed] The group is a collaboration of musicians from Cuba and the United States that formed after the normalization of relations between the two countries in 2014.[1] The band recorded their debut album in Havana, Cuba at the historic EGREM state-run Areíto Studios, where notable musicians like Buena Vista Social Club, Celia Cruz, Benny Moré, and Frank Sinatra have recorded.[1][20][21] The group's debut album was released by Daptone Records in 2018, and it was the record label's first all Spanish-language recording.[2] The album was nominated for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category.[4]
Eckroth also served as the arranger and pianist for Calle Mambo Project's 2018 album See The Light.[22] He is currently part of the jazz faculty at Dartmouth College.[23]
2019:Nominated in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category for the self-titled debut album by Orquesta Akokán.