Eric Alexander (born August 4, 1968) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

saxophonist, composer, and educator. Having placed second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition behind

Joshua Redman Joshua Redman (born February 1, 1969) is an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He is the son of jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman (1931–2006). Life and career Joshua Redman was born in Berkeley, California, to jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman a ...

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.

Early life and education

Alexander was born in

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

. He began as a classical musician, studying

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgians, Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭ ( ...

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a state university system, system of Public university, public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. The system has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration o ...

with Eugene Rousseau in 1986. He soon switched to jazz and the

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (whi ...

, however, and transferred to

William Paterson University William Paterson University, known as WP, officially William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ), is a public university in Wayne, New Jersey, United States. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. Founded in 1855 an ...

, where he studied with Harold Mabern,

Rufus Reid Rufus Reid (born February 10, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American jazz bassist, educator, and composer. Biography Reid was raised in Sacramento, California, where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation ...

Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist. T ...

, Gary Smulyan, Norman Simmons, Steve Turre and others.

Career

Alexander finished second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Later that year, he made his recording debut with

Charles Earland Charles Earland (May 24, 1941 – December 11, 1999) was an American jazz organist. Biography Earland was born in Philadelphia and learned to play the saxophone in high school. He played tenor with Jimmy McGriff at the age of 17 and in 1960 fo ...

and released his debut album on Delmark the following year. Alexander has worked with many jazz musicians, including Chicago pianist Harold Mabern, bassist

Ron Carter Ronald Levin Carter (born May 4, 1937) is an American jazz double bassist. His appearances on 2,221 recording sessions make him the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. He has won three Grammy Awards, and is also a Cello, cellist who has reco ...

, drummer

Idris Muhammad Idris Muhammad (; born Leo Morris; November 13, 1939 – July 29, 2014) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He had an extensive career performing jazz, funk, Rhythm and blues, R&B, and Soul music, soul music and recorded with musicians s ...

, and guitarist

Pat Martino Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. He has been cited as one of the greatest guitarists in jazz. Early life Martino was born Patrick Carmen Azzara in Philad ...

. 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.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With

Steve Davis Steve Davis (born 22 August 1957) is an English retired professional snooker player who is currently a Sports commentator, commentator, DJ, electronic musician and author. He dominated professional snooker in the 1980s, when he reached eight ...

* ''The Jaunt'' (Criss Cross, 1995) * ''Dig Deep'' (Criss Cross, 1996 * ''Crossfire'' (Criss Cross, 1997 * ''Say When'' (Smoke Sessions, 2015) With

* ''Unforgettable'' (Muse, 1991) * ''I Ain't Jivin'...I'm Jammin (Muse, 1992) * ''Ready 'n' Able'' (Muse, 1995) * ''Blowing the Blues Away'' (HighNote, 1997) * ''Cookin' with the Mighty Burner'' (HighNote, 1999; recorded 1997) * ''Charles Earland Live'' (Cannonball, 1999; recorded 1997) * ''Stomp!'' (HighNote, 2000; recorded 1999) * Charles Earland Tribute Band: ''Keepers Of The Flame'' (HighNote, 2002) (includes Joey DeFrancesco, Bob DeVos, Pat Martino) With Joe Farnsworth * ''Beautiful Friendship'' (Criss Cross, 1998) * ''It's Prime Time'' (Eighty-Eight's, 2003) * ''Super Prime Time'' (Eighty-Eight's, 2011) * ''My Heroes (Tribute to the Legends)'' (Venus, 2014) With

David Hazeltine David Perry Hazeltine (born October 27, 1958) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. Early life Hazeltine was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 27, 1958. He began studying the piano at the age of nine, and first pe ...

* ''Blues Quarters, Vol. 1'' (Criss Cross, 1998) * ''The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander'' (Sharp Nine, 2001) * ''Manhattan Autumn'' (Sharp Nine, 2001) * ''Blues Quarters, Vol. 2'' (Criss Cross, 2006) * ''The Inspiration Suite'' (Sharp Nine, 2007) * ''Inversions'' (Criss Cross, 2010) With Vincent Herring * '' The Battle: Live at Smoke'' (HighNote, 2005) * '' Friendly Fire: Live at Smoke'' (HighNote, 2012) * ''In The Spirit of Coltrane and Cannonball'' (Yanagisawa, 2012) With Randy Johnston * ''

Jubilation Jubilation may refer to: * Jubilation!, a parade at Tokyo Disneyland * ''Jubilation'' (The Band album), 1998 * ''Jubilation'' (Randy Johnston album), 1994 * ''Jubilation'' (The Rowans album), 1977 * ''Jubilation'', a musical composition by Rich ...

'' (Muse, 1992 el. 1994 * ''In A-Chord'' (Muse, 1994

el. 1995 EL, El or el may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional entities * El, a character from the manga series ''Shugo Chara!'' by Peach-Pit * Eleven (''Stranger Things'') (El), a fictional character in the TV series ''Stranger Things'' * El, fami ...

With Mike LeDonne * ''Then & Now'' ( Double-Time, 1999) (quintet with Jim Rotondi) * '' Smokin' Out Loud'' (Savant, 2004) * ''You'll See! (Live at The Cellar)'' (Cellar Live, 2004) * ''On Fire (Live at Smoke)'' (Savant, 2006) * ''Five Live (Live at Smoke)'' (Savant, 2007) (quintet with Jeremy Pelt) * ''The Groover'' (Savant, 2009) * ''Keep the Faith'' (Savant, 2011) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''I Love Music'' (Savant, 2013) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''Awwl Right!'' (Savant, 2015) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''That Feelin (Savant, 2016) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''From the Heart'' (Savant, 2018) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''It's All Your Fault'' (Savant, 2021) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''The Heavy Hitters'' (Cellar Music Group, 2023) (sextet with Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring) * ''Wonderful!'' (Cellar Music Group, 2024) ('The Groover Quartet') * ''That's What's Up!'' (Cellar Music Group, 2024) ('The Heavy Hitters' sextet with Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring) With Harold Mabern * ''Kiss of Fire'' (Venus, 2001) * '' Mr. Lucky (A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.)'' (HighNote, 2012) * '' Afro Blue'' (Smoke Sessions, 2015) * '' To Love and Be Loved'' (Smoke Sessions, 2017) * '' The Iron Man: Live at Smoke'' (Smoke Sessions, 2018) * '' Mabern Plays Mabern'' (Smoke Sessions, 2018 el. 2020 * ''Mabern Plays Coltrane'' (Smoke Sessions, 2018 el. 2021 With

Jimmy McGriff James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008) was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader. Biography Early years and influences Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McGriff started playing pia ...

* ''

McGriff's House Party ''McGriff's House Party'' is an album by organist Jimmy McGriff recorded in 1999 and released on the Milestone label the following year.One for All (co-leader with Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, Joe Farnsworth) * ''Too Soon to Tell'' (Sharp Nine, 1997) * ''Optimism'' (Sharp Nine, 1998) * ''Upward and Onward'' (Criss Cross, 1999) * ''The Long Haul'' (Criss Cross, 2000) * ''The End of a Love Affair'' (Venus, 2001) * ''Live at Smoke, Volume 1'' (Criss Cross, 2001) * ''Wide Horizons'' (Criss Cross, 2002) * ''No Problem: Tribute to

Art Blakey Arthur Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina after he converted to Islam for a short time in the late 1940s. Blakey made a name for himself in the 1 ...

'' (Venus, 2003) * ''Blueslike'' (Criss Cross, 2003) * ''Killer Joe'' (Venus, 2005) * ''The Lineup'' (Sharp Nine, 2006) * ''What's Going On'' (Venus, 2007) * ''Return of the Lineup'' (Sharp Nine, 2008) * ''Incorrigible'' (Jazz Legacy Productions, 2009) * ''Invades Vancouver! (Live at The Cellar)'' (Cellar Live, 2010) * ''The Third Decade'' ( Smoke Sessions, 2016) * ''Big George'' (Smoke Sessions, 2024) with guest:

George Coleman George Edward Coleman (born March 8, 1935) is an American jazz saxophonist known for his work with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in the 1960s. In 2015, he was named an NEA Jazz Master. Early life Coleman was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He was ...

With Cecil Payne * '' Cerupa'' (Delmark, 1993

* '' Scotch and Milk'' (Delmark, 1996) * '' Payne's Window'' (Delmark, 1998) With Reeds and Deeds (co-leader with Grant Stewart) * ''Wailin (Criss Cross, 2004) * ''Cookin' ''(Criss Cross, 2005) * ''Tenor Time'' (Criss Cross, 2010) With

Irene Reid Irene Reid (September 23, 1930 – January 5, 2008) was an American jazz singer. Early life Reid was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. She sang in church and in high school in Georgia, and moved to New York City in 1947 after her mother d ...

* ''Million Dollar Secret'' (Savant, 1997) * ''I Ain't Doing Too Bad'' (Savant, 1999) * ''The Uptown Lowdown'' (Savant, 2000) * ''One Monkey Don't Stop No Show'' (Savant, 2002) With Jim Rotondi * ''Introducing Jim Rotondi'' (Criss Cross, 1996) * ''Jim's Bop'' (Criss Cross, 1997) * ''Excursions'' (Criss Cross, 1998) * ''Blues for Brother Ray'' (Posi-Tone, 2009) * ''Live at Smalls'' ( Smalls Live, 2009) * ''Hard Hittin' at the Bird's Eye'' (Sharp Nine, 2012) With Larry Willis * '' The Offering'' (HighNote, 2008)

With others

* The Tenor Triangle: ''Tell It Like It Is'' (Criss Cross, 1993) (sextet with Ralph Lalama, Tad Shull, and the Melvin Rhyne Trio) * Joe Magnarelli: ''Why Not'' (Criss Cross, 1994) * The Tenor Triangle: ''Aztec Blues'' (Criss Cross, 1994) (sextet with Ralph Lalama, Tad Shull, and the Melvin Rhyne Trio) * Rick Stone: ''Steppin' Back'' (Jazzand, 1994) (organ quartet with Sam Yahel, Joe Farnsworth) * Robert Mazurek: ''Badlands'' (Hep, 1995) * Melvin Rhyne: ''Stick to the Kick'' (Criss Cross, 1995) (quintet includes Ryan Kisor, Peter Bernstein) * John Swana: ''In the Moment'' (Criss Cross, 1995) (sextet includes Steve Davis,

Kenny Barron Kenneth Barron (born June 9, 1943) is an American jazz pianist and composer who has appeared on hundreds of recordings as leader and sideman and is considered one of the most influential mainstream jazz pianists since the bebop era. Early life ...

) * Atro "Wade" Mikkola Quartet: ''On The Way'' (AMK inland 1995) * Peter Bernstein: ''Brain Dance'' (Criss Cross, 1996) (quintet includes Steve Davis,

Larry Goldings Lawrence Sam Goldings (born August 28, 1968) is an American jazz keyboardist and composer. His music has explored elements of funk, blues, and jazz fusion, fusion. Goldings has a comedic alter ego known as Hans Groiner. Life and career Golding ...

) * Robert Mazurek: ''Green & Blue'' (Hep, 1996) * Mark Elf: ''A Minor Scramble'' (Jen Bay, 1996) *

Michael Weiss Michael Weiss may refer to: Sports * Michael Weiss (figure skater) (born 1976), American former figure skater * Michael Weiss (swimmer) (born 1991), American swimmer * Michael Weiss (triathlete) (born 1981), Austrian triathlete and cyclist * Michae ...

: ''Power Station'' (DIW, 1997) * Dave Specter & Lenny Lynn: ''Blues Spoken Here'' (Delmark, 1998) * Pat Martino: '' Stone Blue'' (Blue Note, 1998) * John Swana & Joe Magnarelli: ''Philly-New York Junction'' (Criss Cross, 1998) * Paul Bollenback: ''Soul Grooves'' (Challenge, 1998) * Yoron Israel Connection: ''Live at the Blue Note'' (

Half Note In music, a half note (American) or minim (British) is a Musical note, note played for half the duration of a whole note (or semibreve) and twice the duration of a quarter note (or crotchet). It was given its Latin name (''minima'', meaning "le ...

, 1998) * Melvin Rhyne: ''Classmasters'' (Criss Cross, 1999) (quartet includes Peter Bernstein) * Norman Simmons: ''The Art of Norman Simmons'' (Savant, 2000) (quintet includes Henry Johnson) * Mads Baerentzen Trio Featuring Eric Alexander: ''785 Madison Ave.'' (Music Mecca, 2000) * Dmitri Kolesnik: ''Blues for Dad'' (Boheme, 2001) *

Jimmy Scott James Victor Scott (July 17, 1925 – June 12, 2014), known professionally as Little Jimmy Scott or Jimmy Scott, was an American jazz vocalist known for his high natural contralto voice and his sensitivity on ballads and love songs. After ...

: ''But Beautiful'' (Milestone, 2001) * Jimmy Scott: ''Moon Glow'' (Milestone, 2001) * Ryan Kisor: ''The Dream'' (Criss Cross, 2001) * Norman Simmons: ''Synthesis'' (Savant, 2002) (quintet includes Henry Johnson) *

Junior Mance Julian Clifford Mance, Jr. (October 10, 1928 – January 17, 2021), known as Junior Mance, was an American jazz pianist and composer. Biography Early life (1928–1947) Mance was born in Evanston, Illinois. When he was five years old, Mance st ...

Trio & Eric Alexander: ''Groovin' Blues'' (M & I, 2002) * Joe Magnarelli & John Swana: ''New York-Philly Junction'' (Criss Cross, 2003) *

Jimmy Cobb Wilbur James "Jimmy" Cobb (January 20, 1929May 24, 2020) was an American jazz drummer. He was part of Miles Davis's First Great Sextet. He was awarded an NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2009. Early life Cobb was born in Washington, D.C., on J ...

's Mob: ''Cobb's Groove'' (Milestone, 2003) (quintet with Richard Wyands, Peter Bernstein, John Webber) * Simone opmajer(with Romantic Jazz Trio and Eric Alexander): ''Romance'' (Venus, 2004) * Jim Snidero: ''Close Up'' (Milestone, 2004) * Freddy Cole: ''This Love of Mine'' (HighNote, 2005) *

Terry Gibbs Terry Gibbs (born Julius Gubenko; October 13, 1924) is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader. He has performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson,Theroux, Gary"Gibbs, Terry".''Grove Music Online''. Oxford University Press. R ...

: ''Feelin' Good – Live in Studio'' (Mack Avenue, 2005) (sextet includes Joey DeFrancesco) * Bob DeVos: ''Shifting Sands'' (Savant, 2005) * Bob DeVos: ''Playing for Keeps'' (Savant, 2007) * Dmitri Kolesnik: ''Five Corners'' (Challenge, 2007) * John Swana: ''Bright Moments'' (Criss Cross, 2007) * Dave O'Higgins Quintet Featuring Eric Alexander: ''Sketchbook'' (Jazzizit, 2008) * Stewy Von Wattenwyl Generations Trio Featuring Eric Alexander: ''Live at Marians'' (Bemsha Music, 2008) * Meeting Point: ''Quintessence'' (Challenge, 2008) (quintet with Jim Rotondi, Andrei Kondakov, Dmitri Kolesnik, Lenny White) * Neal Smith Quintet: ''Live at Smalls'' ( Smalls Live, 2009) * Pat Martino Quartet: '' Undeniable: Live at Blues Alley'' (HighNote, 2011) * Alexis Cole (with One for All): ''You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To'' (Venus, 2011) * ''I Carry Your Heart: Alexis Cole Sings

Pepper Adams Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III (October 8, 1930 – September 10, 1986) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 42 pieces, was the leader on eighteen albums spanning 28 years, and participated in 600 sessions as a s ...

'' ( Motéma, 2012) * Dee Daniels: ''State of the Art'' (Criss Cross, 2013) (quartet includes Cyrus Chestnut) * Dena DeRose: ''We Won't Forget You...An Homage To

Shirley Horn Shirley Valerie Horn (May 1, 1934 – October 20, 2005) was an American jazz singer and pianist. She collaborated with many jazz musicians including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Wynton Marsalis and oth ...

'' (HighNote, 2014) (with Jeremy Pelt, Gary Smulyan) * Federico Bonifazi: ''You'll See'' ( Steeplechase, 2015) * Bernd Reiter Quintet Featuring Eric Alexander: ''Workout at Bird's Eye (A Tribute to

Hank Mobley Henry Mobley (July 7, 1930 – May 30, 1986) was an American tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone, that was neithe ...

Grant Green Grant Green (June 6, 1935 – January 31, 1979) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Green has been called one of the "most sampled guitarists." Biography Grant Green was born on June 6, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John and ...

)'' (Steeplechase, 2015) * ''The Candy Men: Harry Allen's All Star New York Saxophone Band'' ( Arbors, 2015) (with Grant Stewart, Gary Smulyan) * Andrew Dickeson With Eric Alexander: ''Is That So'' (Andrew Dickeson Productions, 2017) * David Kikoski: ''Phoenix Rising'' (HighNote, 2019) * Cory Weeds: ''O Sole Mio! Music From The Motherland'' (Cellar Music Group, 2019 el. 2021 *

: ''Persistence'' (Cellar Music Group, 2022) * Caesar Frazier: ''Tenacity / As We Speak'' (Track Merchant, 2022) * Paul Brusger: ''A Soul Contract'' (SteepleChase, 2023) * Bernie Senensky: ''Moment To Moment'' (Cellar Music Group, 2023 ec. 2001 and 2020 * Thom Rotella: ''Side Hustle'' (HighNote, 2024)

References

External links

*
JazzPolice.com review of Eric Alexander's "It's All in the Game"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Eric 1968 births Living people American jazz tenor saxophonists American male saxophonists Musicians from Olympia, Washington Milestone Records artists HighNote Records artists Criss Cross Jazz artists Delmark Records artists William Paterson University alumni 21st-century American saxophonists 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians One for All (band) members Venus Records artists