RealTracks Artist Bio: Eric Marienthal

Eric Marienthal′s success with Grammy-winning recordings, chart-topping contemporary Jazz compositions, and numerous awards was foretold when he left Berklee College of Music with the highest proficiency rating ever given by that prestigious school. Years later, Berklee would recognize his professional achievements with its Distinguished Alumnus Award. During those years, Eric established himself as a leading sideman, Contemporary Jazz composer and recording artist, as a session musician, and a fan favorite.

A native of California, Eric Marienthal′s career started with the legendary New Orleans trumpeter Al Hirt before a stint in the Disneyland house band introduced him to the world of LA session players, and, ultimately, Chick Corea. With the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Eric recorded six albums, two of them Grammy winners. A long affiliation with Chick Corea and GRP Records followed, with Eric releasing eleven solo CDs and playing on over 50 GRP albums with artists like Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Don Grusin, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, GRP All-Star Big Band and The Rippingtons. Eric regularly charted in the Top 10 on the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts and the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart, notably with his album "Oasis," a collaboration with Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets.

On stage, Eric has performed and toured the world with legendary artists, starting with Chick Corea and including Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Aaron Neville, Johnny Mathis, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, The Rippingtons, The Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band, Patti Austin, Lou Rawls, David Lee Roth, The Yellowjackets, B.B. King, Ramsey Louis, Patti Labelle, Olivia Newton-John, and many others.

Eric is as active as ever in the studio and on the stage, and also in pursuit of his passion for music education. He has published three teaching method books and three instructional videos, and travels widely to present master classes and perform with high school and college Jazz bands.

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