One of the most explosive saxophone sound in the contemporary jazz world is the saxophone sound of Eric Marienthal. Equally adept on the soprano sax, tenor, and flute, Eric has the distinct ability to "blow the minds" of listeners with his ability to create beautiful, subtle, as well as aggresive melodies ranging from the lowest range of the horn to the highest altissimo range (those high notes are meant to kill!).
Eric's love for jazz music began at almost the same time when he picked up the saxophone, and as well as listening to jazz greats such as Julian "Cannonball" Adderly, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Hank Crawford, Chick Corea and more. Coming from a family of non-musicians (but heavily into music), Eric says in one interview that he "....listened and learned a lot from the music he (Eric's father) used to play on the turn-table back home." As in the norm, he started picking up the saxophone, clarinet, and flute, and even the oboe when he entered grade school. Mixing around with fellow musicians, he started to develop a keen interest in the saxophone. Eric says, "I'm thankful that my parents were encouraging those early days. They supported me all the way. My dad told me he would be happy to see me do something that I was happy with." In his junior and senior years, he played in the Monterey High School Honor Jazz Band, and have had the opportunity to play at Monterey jazz festivals alongside soloists such as Chuck Mangione, Hubert Laws, and Bill Evans.
He entered Berklee College Of Music in Boston in the late 70s, and that was when Eric realized that he wanted to make the saxophone his career, "I was surrounded by musicians who were really intent with what they were into. All the students there really worked hard to improve their skills, " he explained in an interview. He stayed in Berklee for two years.
Eric's first real gig was with singer Maureen McGovern, and later, he did a seven-month tour with Dixieland trumpeter Al Hirt. It was in 1987, where Eric's calling came to be, when John Novello, the keyboardist and leader of the band Eric was playing in, brought Chick Corea (which is a close friend of John) to one of Eric's gigs. Chick was impressed enough by Eric's playing, and this led to Chick inviting Eric to play on Chick's album Light Years. Chick then formed his new group, The Elektric Band, and invited Eric to be a permanent member.
Shortly thereafter, GRP called Eric with a solo album deal. He has, since then, divided his time between his own projects, touring and recording with Chick, David Benoit, Don Grusin, Lee Ritenour and doing sessions for many artists, in addition to other adult contemporary performers like Phil Perry, Keiko Matsui and Phil Sheeran.
Since 1988, Eric has firmly establish himself as one of contemporary jazz's most popular and respected solo artists with his releases of Voice Of The Heart (1988), Round Trip (1989), Crossroads (1990), Oasis (1991), One Touch (1993), Street Dance (1994), and his latest outing, Easy Street (1997). Last but not least, Eric released a new album, Walk Tall, in tribute to his greatest influence, Julian "Cannonball" Adderly (1998).
"I'm fortunate to be able to do my own records as well as play with the caliber of musicians I've been with," says Eric. "But I still practice as much as possible. It's like trying to nail the ultimate golf shot, there's always something that could have been played much better. There are so many elements, and so much still to learn"
Adapted from Jazz Malaysia 1993 Artist List Book, as well as the Saxophone Journal Interview with Eric Marienthal.
Picture courtesy of www.ericmarienthal.com
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