Erica von Kleist

Saxophonist and flautist, Erica von Kleist has begun to make her mark in the New York jazz scene as one of the most in- demand young musicians in the city, performing and recording with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Potter, Sean Jones, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, DIVA and the Grammy® Award-winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. The 2009 Downbeat Magazine Critic’s Poll voted Erica a “Rising Star” on flute, following the release of Sean Jones’ record The Search Within, featuring Erica as a soloist. While performing is her primary passion, Erica has proven herself a prolific and gifted composer. Drawing upon influences such as Wayne Shorter, Duke Ellington, and Stevie Wonder, Erica has been commissioned to write for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Juilliard School and the Afro- Latin Jazz Orchestra. Erica is currently a member of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, as well as a regular orchestra member at The Addams Family on Broadway, and can be heard on the original Broadway cast recording featuring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.

Major news publications such as The New York Times, Travel & Leisure Magazine, All About Jazz and DownBeat Magazine have all praised Ms. von Kleists’ talents with jazz critic Ben Ratliff stating, “Superb!” Since 2006, Erica has been honored with several awards from ASCAP, and also received the prestigious Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in March 2009.

As a follow-up to her 2006 CD Project E, Erica released four singles with her new band No Exceptions, featuring Zaccai Curtis, Luques Curtis, John Davis, Nadje Noordhuis, Dan Pratt, as well as special guest Dan Nimmer from the Wynton Marsalis Septet. Her single "Dirty Martini" won praise at this year's ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards. Erica debuted her new compositions at The Jazz Gallery, Tutuma Social Club and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as part of a special presentation by WBGO radio. The most recent singles will be compiled into an album for release in November, and will set the stage for Erica's first US/Canada Winter 2010-2011 tour.

Erica currently endorses R.S Berkeley saxophones. For more information and news about upcoming performances visit www.ericavonkleist.com

Awards

Ascap Plus Award Ascap Young Jazz Composer Award 2009 and 2010 Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award

Gear

Currently endorses RS Berkeley Virtuoso Series Saxophones.

Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Clinic/Workshop Information

In early 2011, Erica released her first book, A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory: A Step-by-Step Guide to Improvising with Scales, Chords and Progressions which is the culmination of years of work and interaction with hundreds of talented young jazz musicians, and is designed to supplement any curriculum dedicated to jazz and improvisation. Erica has been involved in jazz education for over ten years and has worked with students of all ages, and has led clinics at high schools and colleges worldwide such as Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy and Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition programs, The Juilliard School, University of Spokane, Foxboro High School, Hall High School/Hartford and has traveled to schools throughout the US, Japan and Cuba.