Eric Walentowicz showcases his mastery of saxophones and woodwinds.
Meet Eric Walentowicz
Meet Eric Walentowicz
ERIC WALENTOWICZ is an American Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger and single-reed Woodwind instrumental musician.
A highly skilled, versatile, talented, and in-demand reed man, known for his improvised saxophone solos and contemporary jazz music singles and video's. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Eric started playing professionally at age thirteen winning several scholarships to attend the famed Interlochen Arts summer programs at Interlochen, Michigan and as a scholarship recipient at the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) (Studio Music and Jazz) and Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas.
Eric has worked as a musician in New York City, Detroit, MI, Miami, FL, Dallas, TX, the Caribbean, and the Capital District of NY and traveled the U.S.
He was awarded a grant to perform with his group the Eric Walentowicz Group in NYC (Dante Park) for the Jazz Business Project in July 2024. He has backed such artists as Johnny Mathis at the Palace Theatre in Albany, Laurel Masse (Manhattan Transfer) at The Egg in Albany, Skidmore "UpBeat on the Roof" Tang Museum Concert Series with Jill Hughes Group as well as the Terry Gordon Quintet, the "Bridge Jazz Festival" at Troy Savings Music Hall with the "Tim Olsen - Eric Walentowicz Duo" and also the 26th "Cutting Edge" Artists Showcase at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club, New Orleans, LA (2018). He has performed at the "Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival" with co-led groups "New Regime" and "Troika", also performances at the "Pittsfield Ethnic Festival" and "Rock the Block Music Festival" in Cohoes, NY with Bronte Roman Pop/Latin/Jazz Ensemble, over five hundred events for the New York Players Entertainment Group, also The Dallas Jazz Orchestra (DJO), The Silver Arrow Band, The One O’clock Jazz Lab Band at North Texas, The Platters and Jackie Mason at the Fontainebleau in Miami FL, Rick DellaRatta’s Jazz For Peace, the Schenectady Symphony, the Fox Theater Detroit Michigan, the Miami Symphony Orchestra (Rhapsody and Blue) at the Calle Ocho Festival with several Miami-based Latin bands specializing in Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia styles. As a staff musician for Norwegian Cruise lines he backed Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Eddie Fisher, George Merritt and Ray Anthony. Eric has studied saxophone/flute/clarinet and/or jazz improvisation privately with Gary Keller (University of Miami), Ed Calle (Arturo Sandoval, Miami Sound Machine, Julio Iglesias), Gary Campbell (Fulbright Scholar at Florida International University, Co-Author of Patterns For Jazz/Expansions), Andy Middleton, Rick Margitza (Miles Davis, Maria Schenider, Moutin Bros.), Ted Nash (Wynton Marsalis) Bob Franceschini (Mike Stern), Dave Tofani (NYC Broadway Musician), Laura Hunter (UCSD, Interlochen), George F. Benson (Detroit, MI), Tony DiMaria (Rochester Hills, MI), and Clemente Barone (Flutist - Detroit Symphony Orchestra).
He was awarded a grant to perform with his group the Eric Walentowicz Group in NYC (Dante Park) for the Jazz Business Project in July 2024. He has backed such artists as Johnny Mathis at the Palace Theatre in Albany, Laurel Masse (Manhattan Transfer) at The Egg in Albany, Skidmore "UpBeat on the Roof" Tang Museum Concert Series with Jill Hughes Group as well as the Terry Gordon Quintet, the "Bridge Jazz Festival" at Troy Savings Music Hall with the "Tim Olsen - Eric Walentowicz Duo" and also the 26th "Cutting Edge" Artists Showcase at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club, New Orleans, LA (2018). He has performed at the "Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival" with co-led groups "New Regime" and "Troika", also performances at the "Pittsfield Ethnic Festival" and "Rock the Block Music Festival" in Cohoes, NY with Bronte Roman Pop/Latin/Jazz Ensemble, over five hundred events for the New York Players Entertainment Group, also The Dallas Jazz Orchestra (DJO), The Silver Arrow Band, The One O’clock Jazz Lab Band at North Texas, The Platters and Jackie Mason at the Fontainebleau in Miami FL, Rick DellaRatta’s Jazz For Peace, the Schenectady Symphony, the Fox Theater Detroit Michigan, the Miami Symphony Orchestra (Rhapsody and Blue) at the Calle Ocho Festival with several Miami-based Latin bands specializing in Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia styles. As a staff musician for Norwegian Cruise lines he backed Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Eddie Fisher, George Merritt and Ray Anthony. Eric has studied saxophone/flute/clarinet and/or jazz improvisation privately with Gary Keller (University of Miami), Ed Calle (Arturo Sandoval, Miami Sound Machine, Julio Iglesias), Gary Campbell (Fulbright Scholar at Florida International University, Co-Author of Patterns For Jazz/Expansions), Andy Middleton, Rick Margitza (Miles Davis, Maria Schenider, Moutin Bros.), Ted Nash (Wynton Marsalis) Bob Franceschini (Mike Stern), Dave Tofani (NYC Broadway Musician), Laura Hunter (UCSD, Interlochen), George F. Benson (Detroit, MI), Tony DiMaria (Rochester Hills, MI), and Clemente Barone (Flutist - Detroit Symphony Orchestra).
Composition and Arranging
Eric was a FINALIST in both the international (2019) USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION (Jazz Category) and (2020) THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST (Jazz Category) for his composition “Anxious Moments”. Eric Walentowicz was a FINALIST in both the international (2020) USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION and a Top 5 Winner in the (2020) GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST for his song ESTHER (Instrumental Category). Eric was a SEMI- FINALIST in the (2023) SONG OF THE YEAR Songwriting Contest (Jazz Category) for his song BEACHCOMBER and received the following placement. http://2023e.songoftheyear.com/ericwalentowicz.html
The Semi-Finalist placement is the highest placement next only to the one winner and four finalists from each category.
Eric Walentowicz, Music Producer
Recording Singles and Projects
Eric Walentowicz Group - Topic (Subscribe for New Music)
In addition to performing, Eric produces unique recording projects that highlight his skills as a woodwind instrumentalist. He strives to capture the essence of contemporary jazz in his singles while sharing his love for music with a wider audience. His artistic vision and talent make him a sought-after reed musician in the industry.