Dave Weckl - Eric Marienthal

When Eric Marienthal was just 10 years old, he dreamed of becoming a professional musician, to make his own records, and tour around the world.

When he first started playing his saxophone in 5th grade, he really had no idea what all that even meant. Now, having performed in more than 60 countries, and recording 10 solo CDs - not to mention playing on hundreds of other records, films, television shows and commercial jingles, Eric has definitely reached many of his musical goals.

After graduating high school in 1976, Eric went on to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He e studied with legendary saxophone teacher, Joe Viola. When he left Berklee, Eric had achieved the highest proficiency rating given by the school. In 1995, Eric was awarded the Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1980, Eric moved to New Orleans and played with legendary Al Hurt and his band for about a year. After Al's band ended, Eric returned to L.A. and a spot opened up in the Disneyland Band. It was there that Eric met many of the studio musicians that he still works with today.

While working as a musician at Disneyland, Chick Corea heard him play and asked him to join the Elektric Band. Needless to say, Eric didn't stay in the Disney Band long after that. The Elektric Band went on to record six albums, winning two Grammys and traveling to every corner of the globe.

After the Elektric Band's "Light Years" record was released, Eric was offered his first solo record contract with GRP records. Chick produced Eric's first record, "Voices of The Heart."

His next two CDs, "Roundtrip" and "Crossroads," were produced by Eric and his longtime friend John Patitucci. It was during that time that Eric became one of the most recorded sax players in contemporary jazz. He played on more than 50 GRP releases, alone, including records by Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Don Grusin, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, GRP All-Star Big Band and The Rippingtons.

In 1991, Eric decided to call upon two musicians whom he had always wanted to work with, Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante of The Yellowjackets. This produced the "Oasis" CD, which ended up being one of Eric's most successful records - making it into the top 5 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts. Two of the tunes made it into the top 10 of the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts. Eric went on to record two more records for GRP; "One Touch" and "Street Dance," both produced by Jeff Lorber.

In 1997, Eric was signed by legendary jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour to record for his new label, i.e. Music. Ritenour produced Eric's "Easy Street" CD and the title track, which features Rick Braun on trumpet, made it to #2 on the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts.

That same year, Eric was voted to be among the top 3 alto sax players in the Jazziz Magazine Reader's Poll along with Phil Woods and David Sanborn. Eric's 2nd record for i.e. Music, "Walk Tall", was a tribute to one of his musical idols, Cannonball Adderley. Produced by Harvey Mason, the single, "Here In My Heart," stayed at #1 on the National Contemporary Jazz Charts for three weeks and the Cannonball classic, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" made it to #5.

Currently, Eric is signed to the Peak Records label, owned by Rippingtons founder Russ Freeman. Eric's first two recordings on Peak were "Turn Up The Heat" and "Sweet Talk," the latter of which featured the title track that was co-written by Eric's 14-year-old son, Robert.

Eric's newest CD is his 3rd for Peak entitled "Got You Covered". The record has a very heartfelt, mostly acoustic sound and is one that Eric is very proud of.

For the past seven years, Eric has been the musical director of an annual fundraising concert for High Hopes. High Hopes is a non-profit organization in Orange County, California, that works with people who have suffered traumatic head injuries.

With the help of guest artists such as Lou Rawls, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Vesta Williams, Jeff Lorber, David Pack, and many more, these concerts to date have raise well over a half-million dollars for this charity.

These days, Eric is touring and recording continuously. Besides playing with his own band and the others that he is a part of, Eric gives master classes and performs with High School and College bands around the country. He has also been a dedicated educator with several educational series and play-along books available for young musicians.

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