Bio

Eric Elias is one of America's outstanding young guitarists. Whether performing as a soloist or with small combos, Eric's music represents a blend of jazz, blues, and folk music. He has been described as having a folk and worldmusic sound with a "straight ahead" style.

Touring experience has taken Elias from London to Toronto and across the eastern and central United States, playing at clubs and festivals. He has opened for Maynard Ferguson, performed live with world-renowned guitarist Phil Keaggy and played at the Cornerstone Festival. Eric has also been featured on two CDs for the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society as well as recordings with guitarists Robert Messore and Luke Nelson. As a result of Eric's musical skills, his compositions have been used for two PBS television shows and have been recorded by other artists. Mr. Elias is also a columnist for Just Jazz Guitar magazine and has authored 11 instructional books in the area of jazz and bass guitar performance.

In concert Eric is a remarkable performer. His use of effects and percussive guitar techniques allow him to create interesting textures of guitar, that often sound like a several instruments being played at once. His jazz arrangements for solo guitar are unique and sophisticated yet down to earth. He was described by Free Time Magazine as one of the funkiest acoustic guitarists in Rochester, NY.

Currently, Eric has five CDs available as a leader and with Luke Nelson. Elias debut, "Canine Dreams", was released in the mid 1990's and received a substantial amount of radio air-play in New York, remaining on the top ten independent artist charts for months. Erics last two CDs ("Conversations with my Strings" and "Solos, Duos, Trios and Quartets") are instrumental offerings that feature Eric in a variety of jazz and acoustic guitar settings. "My Compliments" the jazz debut CD with guitarist Luke Nelson has received critical acclaim as well.

Eric Elias is being featured at clubs, coffeehouses and festivals, as a soloist and with guitarist Luke Nelson to promote their latest recordings.

Call: (860) 643-5024

e-mail: ericejazz@aol.com