In the 1980s, Erik polished his professional chops working with Vivian Grant, a pianist and former accompanist to legendary jazz singer Anita O'Day. After traveling on various musical and artistic pursuits, Erik settled near Los Angeles in 1990 and began the decade of musical growth, experimentation, and learning that culminates in the new music. In addition to working on his original projects, Erik has also worked performances and sessions with such luminaries as Abraham Laboriel Sr., Graham Dorsey, Jack Kelly, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Mike Willars, Jon Hartmann, and Sam Mazzola. For three years during the mid- to late-1990s, Erik also served as music director for a small inner-city church.
Erik has developed a style of music that is at once highly personal and highly accessible, with several distinct vocal and instrumental influences held together by a common theme of hope, renewal, love, and relentlessly positive thinking. "But what ties the whole thing together sonically and musically," says Erik, "is my producer, Richard Zeier, at Pearl Music. I have a 'signature sound' because Richard helped me find it, frame it, and focus it.
Erik and his wife of 20 years, Lydia, have two canine kids, Cecily and Maximo; his daughter (from his first marriage) and son-in-law, Monica and Lamont, have given him two granddaughters, Tiana and Aliyah, in 1998 and 2003, respectively. He is also a designer (his site, his CDs), publishing consultant, Macintosh maven, and published writer. |
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