Eric Byrd, Piano & Vocals
Pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd has been playing professionally for over 30 years. Along with the principles of swing and be-bop, rousing gospel-tinged chords and trilling blues lines are fundamental elements of his performance style. His improvisations are intense, soulful and romantic; he takes listeners on a joyride as his fingers create magical works of art.
A Grammy Award voter, Eric has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Tim Green, Warren Wolf, Jeff Majors, Charlie Byrd, and Yolanda Adams to name a few. Along with his own recordings as a leader, he also appears on over 15 recordings by other artists. He graduated from and was a former music professor at McDaniel College where he completed his undergraduate degree An in-demand leader and sideman, active in both the jazz and gospel worlds, Eric is the primary composer for the group.
Alongside saxophonist Tim Warfield, Eric served as an Artist in Residence at Messiah College in PA where he directed the United Voices of Praise Gospel Choir. In 2021 he joined drummer Alphonso Young, Jr on the jazz faculty of Shenandoah University as private jazz piano instructor. He is also the director of the Gettysburg College Sunderland Conservatory Jazz Combo and teaches History of Jazz.
The Shenandoah University Conservatory of Music commissioned jazz big band arrangements of several of his compositions. Those arrangements were featured in a fall 2022 concert and at the Jazz Educators Network Annual Conference in January of 2023.
15 Questions for Eric Byrd