Multi-Grammy nominated and winning Drummer Eric Harland is the most “in demand drummer” of his generation. He has collaborated, as well as produced, on over 500 recordings and multiple film scores at his age of 47. Eric has been recognized in the Boston Globe, New York Times, JazzTimes, Modern Drummer, All About Jazz, The New Yorker, DownBeat, L’uomo Vogue and other prominent publications.
It has been his privilege to share the stage with masters such as Betty Carter, Joe Henderson, MyCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Terence Blanchard, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Savion Glover, SFJAZZ Collective and many others, as well as todays up and coming artist like Esperanza Spalding, Jane Monheit, Taylor Eigsti, Julian Lage, Stacie Orrico, Robert Glasper and so on.
His current list of performing groups include “JAMES FARM” with Joshua Redman, “PRISM” with Dave Holland and Kevin Eubanks, “SANGAM” with Charles Lloyd and Zakir Hussain, “Charles Lloyd New Quartet”, “OVERTONE” with Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Chris Potter. Chris Potter Circuits Trio, Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio D’ETE and “VOYAGER” Eric’s own widely recognized group.
But Eric doesn’t stop there, he also manages to fit in many collaborations with world renowned artist like Les Claypool “PRIMUS”, “DISPATCH” the band, Snarky Puppy, KRS1, Lisa Fischer, Bill Frisell, John Mayer, Gigi Hadid, Spike Lee, Steve Miller, Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson from “AMERICAN IDOL” and etc.
Eric was recognized for his work as artist and producer with GSI Records, on Taylor Eigsti’s 2021 album, “Tree Falls” which won a Grammy. And recently added to his expanding filmography, in collaboration with Julian Rosefeldt, on his world renoun art film, “Euphoria”.
Eric Harland was the Resident Artistic Director at the SFJAZZ Center for the 2014-2016 Season. Also was Artist in Resident at the Monterey Jazz Festival 2014 Season. He is passionate about offering mentoring through lectures and clinics, fostering the love and dedication he has for the music, in others, by encouraging and strengthening eager jazz students’ skills and opportunities around the world. Inspiring the legacy and authenticity of Jazz and its community. Harland also had the supreme privilege of being invited and attending President Barack Obama’s 2016 White House State Dinner in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Through Harland’s extensive travels, he has come to realize that “The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation.” When Eric Harland contributes... his intention is therefore to create the highest musical experience so that every listener may have insight... into the musical moment.
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
