When Eric was just 10 years old he used to dream 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. Well, after having performed in over 60 different countries, recording 10 solo CD’s and playing on hundreds of other records, films, television shows and commercial jingles, Eric has definitely exceeded those musical goals he set for himself way back then.

After graduating high school in 1976, Eric went on to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. There he studied with the legendary saxophone teacher, Joe Viola. It was Joe that taught Eric how to really practice. Joe introduced Eric to the books of Marcel Mule, Pierre Londeaux, Sigmund Rasher and many others. Under Joe’s wing, Eric practiced at least 4 hours every night. There were also jam sessions going on all the time where the students could get together and play for hours. Eric ended up returning to Orange County, CA after being at Berklee for 2 years to try and pursue his career. When he left Berklee, he 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 auditioned for famed New Orleans trumpeter Al Hurt. He got the gig, moved to New Orleans and played with Al and his band for about a year. “We would play at Al’s club in the French Quarter during the week and almost every weekend we’d travel to a different city to play. It was my first time seeing most of the country.” When the band ended Eric returned to L.A. and began the slow climb into the world of professional music. He played in every situation he could. A spot opened up in the Disneyland Band and it was there that Eric met many of the studio musicians that he still works with today.

While the Disney Band was a full time job, Eric would still play jobs at night in a lot of the clubs around town. It was during one of these club gigs with bandleader John Novello that Eric was about to get his first big break. While playing at a club in North Hollywood, Eric looked up from the stage to see jazz legend Chick Corea walk through the door. Chick had been one of Eric’s very favorite all-time musicians. “When I looked up and saw Chick walk in I thought I must be hallucinating!” Chick was a friend of John’s so Eric figured he was there to see John’s band. But unbeknownst to Eric, Chick was looking to add a sax player to his famed Elektric Band with bassist, John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl, and guitarist Frank Gambale. Not only did Chick stay for the whole night but he sat in during the 2nd set. “We played one of Chick’s standards, “500 Miles High”. Thank God I knew that tune!” Eric said that his wife Lee Ann happened to be there that night and could see the excitement in his eyes. �It was an incredible thrill to be on stage playing with one of my all time musical heroes.” Afterwards they talked and Chick told Eric how much he liked his playing.

The real bombshell, however, didn’t hit until the next day. While Eric was sitting in the Disneyland Band break room the phone rang. “The bass player answered it and said it was for me. He had an odd look on his face and when I asked who it was he said it was Chick Corea’s manager. I totally froze!” Eric finally made it to the phone and the manager told him that Chick wanted him to join the Elektric Band.