BIOGRAPHY

"...Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy ."

- Ludwig van Beethoven 

ERIC is on FACEBOOK & YouTube


ERIC WALENTOWICZ is an American Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger and single-reed Woodwind instrumental musician.
A highly skilled, versatile, talented, and in-demand reedman, known for his improvised saxophone solos.  Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Eric started playing professionally at age thirteen winning several scholarships to attend the famed Interlochen Arts summer programs in Interlochen, Michigan and studied Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) as a scholarship recipient and also 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.  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).


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.




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 also recorded on several CD’s which include his own groups:  The New Regime, Eric Walentowicz Quartet (EW Quartet) and Troika as well as the Tim Olsen Band, Michael Dimin, Dave Calarco’s Jazz Conclave, Joe Barna, Jeff Gonzales Blues Band, Terry Gordon Quintet, XPO Studios and CYRAH.

                                                                                                                                                

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).


TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Private Woodwind Studio (2001-Present) – Woodwind Instructor -  Work one-on-one with students and instruct in proper technique and theory while developing effective practice routines and schedules.  Prepare students for NYSSMA adjudication, ESYO and college prep.

Union College, Schenectady, NY (2008 - Present) - Affiliate Artist (Jazz Saxophone)

Paul Effman Music Service, Albany, NY (2006 - 2023) – Instrumental Music Director for six schools offering group lessons and conducting twenty concerts annually. 

Union College, NY (2008 - Present) – Performer and or Instructor for several Jazz Workshops and Jazz History Classes

Walentowicz Music Studio (2005 - 2012) – Woodwind Instructor – Offering private lessons in Classical and Jazz and preparing students for NYSSMA adjudication. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
ERIC WALENTOWICZ – (Saxophonist/Composer/Arranger/Woodwind Doubler/Teacher) has thirty five years of performing experience as a musician.  He is a very in-demand saxophone soloist having performed with over thirty groups annually at over seventy venues a year for the past ten years.  Originally from Detroit, MI, he started playing professionally at age thirteen and won several scholarships to attend the famed Interlochen Arts summer programs in Interlochen, MI.  He majored in Studio Music and Jazz on scholarship at the University of Miami and University of North Texas. 
Eric has worked as a musician in New York City, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, the Caribbean and the Capital District of NYS.  He has backed such artists as Laurel Masse (Manhattan Transfer) at The Egg in Albany, Johnny Mathis at the Palace Theatre in Albany, over five hundred weddings and fundraisers for the New York Players Entertainment Group, The Dallas Jazz Orchestra, 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 Miami Symphony Orchestra (Rhapsody and Blue) and 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 also recorded and performed on twelve CD’s.  These include his own groups:  The New Regime, Blue Angel, EW Quartet and Troika as well as Tim Olsen, Dave Calarco’s Jazz Conclave, Jeff King Blues Band, Terry Gordon Quintet and NitroJive.
Eric has studied saxophone/flute and jazz improvisation privately with Ed Calle (with Miami Sound Machine, Julio Iglesias), Rick Margitza (with Miles Davis, Maria Schenider, Moutin Bros.), Gary Campbell (Fulbright Scholar at Florida International University, Co-Author of Patterns For Jazz/Expansions), Gary Keller (University of Miami, Sonny Stitt Transcriptions), Andy Middleton, Ted Nash (with Wynton Marsalis) Bob Franceschini (with Mike Stern), Dave Tofani (NYC Broadway Musician) and Clemente Barone (Flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra).