Michael Eckroth
Michael Eckroth | |
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![]() Michael Eckroth performing in 2019 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, pianist, arranger |
Instrument(s) | Piano, keyboards, vocals |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Daptone Records, SteepleChase Records, Positone Records |
Website | www |
Michael Eckroth is an American jazz pianist, arranger, and composer from Phoenix, Arizona, particularly known for his work in Latin jazz.[1][2][3] He was a member of jazz-rock guitarist John Scofield's New Quartet from 2010-2012.[3] Currently, he is the co-writer, arranger, and pianist for Cuban and American mambo big band Orquesta Akokán,[1] whose self-titled debut album from Daptone Records was nominated in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[4]
Early life and education
Michael Eckroth was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is from a musical family and is the brother of keyboardist Rachel Eckroth.[5][6]
He formally studied jazz throughout his career, receiving his B.A. at the University of Arizona and receiving his M.A. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[7][8][9] He began pursuing his Ph.D. at New York University in 2006.[9] During this time, he was the recipient of the Díaz-Ayala Library Travel Grant at Florida International University under a U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant in 2012 to conduct research on Cuban music.[10] He later completed his Ph.D. in 2016, writing his dissertation on Cuban piano solos of the 1940s.[1]
Career
While studying at New York University, Eckroth became involved in a number of musical projects as a pianist. While Eckroth was a student in an ensemble class led by jazz-rock guitarist John Scofield, Scofield invited Eckroth to join his New Quartet with drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Ben Street from 2010-2012.[3][11] Eckroth appears in the live concert DVD of the group's 2010 concert in Paris, France at jazz club New Morning.[11]
Eckroth formed the Latin vocal trio La Voz de Tres with Chilean vocalist Natalia Bernal and guitarist Jason Ennis in 2008.[12][13] The group released their self-titled debut album in 2010 and their second album Sueños y Delirios in 2015.[14] Around this time, Eckroth also performed with jazz multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless and Brazilian guitarist Aliéksey Vianna. The trio released a live concert DVD from Brazil in 2009 titled Ebano.[15] Additionally, Eckroth appeared on Morrie Louden's album Time Piece, which featured singer Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke.[16]
In 2015, Eckroth released a solo album of Cuban music titled Piano and Rhythm.[17] Later in 2016, Eckroth released a duo album with bassist Ron McClure titled Hello Stars.[3] Eckroth appeared on Ron McClure's Trio album Hope and Knowledge as well.[18] Eckroth also appeared on saxophonist Dan Pratt's Quartet album Hymn for the Happy Man with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Greg Hutchinson.[19]
Starting in 2016, Eckroth formed the Cuban and American mambo big band Orquesta Akokán as its co-writer, arranger, and pianist with singer José "Pepito" Gómez and composer Jacob Plasse.[20] The group is a collaboration of musicians from Cuba and the United States that formed after the normalization of relations between the two countries in 2014.[1] The band recorded their debut album in Havana, Cuba at the historic EGREM state-run Areíto Studios, where notable musicians like Buena Vista Social Club, Celia Cruz, Benny Moré, and Frank Sinatra have recorded.[1][21][22] The group's debut album was released by Daptone Records in 2018, and it was the record label's first all Spanish-language recording.[2] The album was nominated for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category.[4]
Eckroth also served as the arranger and pianist for Calle Mambo Project's 2018 album See The Light.[23] He is currently part of the jazz faculty at Dartmouth College.[24]
Awards and honors
2019: Nominated in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category for the self-titled debut album by Orquesta Akokán.
Selected discography
As leader/co-leader/arranger
- Orquesta Akokán (2018)
Michael Eckroth
- Piano and Rhythm (2015)
- Sombrío (2010)
Ron McClure & Michael Eckroth
- Hello Stars (2016)
La Voz de Tres
- Sueños y Delirios (2015)
- La Voz de Tres (2010)
Calle Mambo Project
- See The Light (2018)
DEF Trio
- Bushwick'd (2014)
As a band member/session artist
- Ron McClure: Hope and Knowledge (2017)
- Dan Pratt Quartet (with Christian McBride and Greg Hutchinson): Hymn for the Happy Man (2016)
- Ron McClure: Crunch Time (2012)
- Ron McClure: Dedication (2011)
- John Scofield New Quartet: New Morning: The Paris Concert (DVD) (2010)
- Paul McCandless and Aliéksey Vianna: Ebano (DVD) (2009)
- Morrie Louden (with Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke): Time Piece (2007)
References
- ^ a b c d e "As Cuba Changes, Orquesta Akokan Revives The Golden Age of Mambo", NPR, Washington D.C., 15 April 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Daptone Taps Cuban Soul on Upcoming Release", Billboard, New York, 4 January 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Artist Profile: Michael Eckroth", "Latin Jazz Network", Toronto, 15 April 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ a b “2019 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominations”, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles, 7 December 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "New Directions", "Boulder Weekly", Boulder, 14 November 2018, Retrieved on 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Award-winning Khani Cole performs with Rachel Eckroth", "The Verde Independent", Cottonwood, 22 November 2013, Retrieved on 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Sounds of Brazil", "Tucson Weekly", Tucson, 1995, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ “Dave Loeb and the Jazz Studies Program at UNLV”, “Jazzed Magazine”, Las Vegas, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b “NYU State of Mind: First Billy Joel Scholarship Winners Announced”, “NYU News”, New York, 10 August 2006, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Díaz-Ayala Library Travel Grants", "Florida International University", Miami, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b "John Scofield: New Morning - The Paris Concert", "All About Jazz", Philadelphia, 27 September 2011, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "La Voz De Tres At Tempe Center For The Arts", "All About Jazz", Philadelphia, 31 October 2014, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "La Voz de Tres: Sueños y Delirios", "World Music Report", Toronto, 21 April 2015, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Mike Eckroth", "All About Jazz", Toronto, 2 October 2015, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Morrie Louden: Time Piece", "All About Jazz", 19 July 2007, Retrieved on 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Mike Eckroth: Piano and Rhythm", "Latin Jazz Network", Toronto, 27 July 2015, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "BP Recommends: New Releases from Rex Brown, Paul Simon, Rancid, and More", "Bass Player Magazine", Bath, 31 August 2017, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "New jazz releases to comfort your soul in times of trouble". "AXS", Los Angeles, 13 June 2016, Retrieved on 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Turns out recording an album in communist Cuba isn’t easy", "New York Post", New York, 29 March 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "Orquesta Akokan, Echoes Of A Cuban Past Recorded In Havana", "NPR", Washington D.C., 19 January 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "U.S./Cuba partnership: Orquesta Akokan will perform Sunday at SECCA", "Winston-Salem Journal", Winston-Salem, 5 September 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "Calle Mambo Project: See The Light". "Latin Jazz Network", Toronto, 15 April 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.
- ^ "'Keep Your Values At The Heart Of Your Art': Art Awardees Hear From Acclaimed Alum Filmmaker", "Hop Backstage", Hanover, 30 May 2018, Retrieved on 14 January 2019.