Emerging on the US jazz scene in the 1990s, saxophonist Eric Alexander's bebop swagger bears the hallmarks of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, and he is regarded as one of the few contemporary artists still keeping the traditions and spirit of the genre alive. Born in Galesburg, Illinois on August 4, 1968, Eric Alexander played piano, clarinet, and alto saxophone before mastering the tenor whilst at the University of Indiana. After finishing second in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, he began playing in clubs on the South Side of Chicago. Relocating to New York and becoming part of city's vibrant music scene, he released his debut album, Straight Up, in 1992, which was quickly followed by New York Calling that same year. After several more solo albums – including Up, Over & Out (1993), Full Range (1994), Stablemates (1995), and Two of a Kind (1996) – he joined hard-bop ensemble One For All, who lit up the jazz world with their residencies at Broadway clubs and energetic albums including Too Soon to Tell (1997) and The Long Haul (2000). As a solo artist and band leader, Eric Alexander has released over 35 records and has featured on countless more as a sideman, and has worked regularly with sultry singer Irene Reid, funky organist Charles Earland, and pianist David Hazeltine. Known for his prolific work rate and an honest, fluid style, he has remained a fixture of New York's jazz scene and continued to record for independent label High Note Records. His later releases include Song of No Regrets (2017), Leap of Faith (2019), With Strings (2019), and A New Beginning: Alto Saxophone With Strings (2023). In 2024, Eric Alexander played alto sax on the album Wonderful by jazz keyboardist Mike LeDonne, who he has collaborated with on over a dozen albums since 1999.
