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Erica von Kleist
Multi-instrumentalist and comedian Erica von Kleist has led many lives as a musician and producer, leading the charge as woodwind specialist, pianist, writer, and educator. After receiving the first jazz bachelor’s degree in the history of the Juilliard School, Erica went on to tour and record with Sean Jones, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, spent time on Broadway in the pits of The Addams Family, Chorusline and Gypsy, and recorded on five Grammy-Nominated recordings. In 2012 Erica relocated from NYC to the big sky state of Montana where she started several business initiatives, penned a music theory textbook, and also, well, found her funny bone. During the #MeToo movement, Erica reminisced on her experiences as the only female in countless professional situations in jazz, and began writing songs about the struggles that women face. From mansplaining to manspreading, Erica’s lyrics began to encompass her history as a female in a male-dominated world which eventually snowballed into her side-splitting jazz comedy show she affectionately titled “BOOBS!” In addition to her solo show, she also wrote and produced a musical entitled “Sorry! A New Musical” which debuted as a reading at Alpine Theatre Project in 2021. During Covid Erica joined forces with several co-writers to pen the musical theater film “Your Musical is Cancelled. The Musical!” featuring Broadway luminaries both on screen and in the orchestra. The film went on to win “Best Feature” at the SoCal Film Awards and “Best Comedy” at the Toronto Alternative Film Festival, and was an official selection for the New York Independent Film Festival. Is fresh off the debut of her jazz comedy project and will be releasing several singles from “BOOBS! With Erica von Kleist and the All-Male Jazz Ensemble” in 2024.
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.
Tags
Diva Jazz Orchestra: "30": Live at Dizzy's Club
by Jack Bowers
The “30" in the title of the superlative all-woman Diva Jazz Orchestra's latest album stands for 30 years, which, believe it or not, is how long the orchestra and its remarkable drummer and leader, Sherrie Maricle, have been up and running and making beautiful music at home and abroad. Among U.S.-based big bands, it would seem that only Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman have had longer runs than that. Fast company indeed. So is Diva ready for comparisons? ...
read moreJohn La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard
by Jack Bowers
Composer/arranger John La Barbera has been at the top of his game for more than half a century, and Grooveyard is simply another example of his undiminished artistry. Besides arranging everything--superbly, as always--La Barbera wrote six of the session's ten charming songs, escorting other treasures by Carl Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Curtis Fuller and Elvin Jones. As he writes his handsome and colorful big-band charts, La Barbera is always careful to observe Rule No. 1: they have to ...
read moreThe John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The geometry, if you will, of a terrific big band recording is such that the three major elements--the players, the arrangements, and the performance--balance in every regard. Grooveyard from the John La Barbera Big Band is such an offering. The album features ten masterfully selected, arranged, and performed selections, each containing outstanding section, solo, and ensemble playing. Wes Montgomery's “Grooveyard" launches a hip, swinging first course in which tenor man Pat La Barbera and guitarist Brandon Coleman ...
read moreC'mon In, The Water's Great!
by AAJ Staff
By Erica vonKleist Playing Ellington's music, especially at a young age, is a lot like learning how to swim by jumping into the deep end of a pool. One is thrust into a situation that requires a vast wealth of musical skill and understanding and has proven to be a challenge for musicians at all levels of experience. By learning about the nuances and characteristics of Ellington's writing, a young person has the opportunity to develop his or ...
read moreSaxophonist Erica von Kleist Travels To Cuba With Horns To Havana Group
Source:
Jennifer Kramer
DELIVERING 120 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS & PERFORMING New York, NY: Saxophonist-flautist, Erica von Kleist traveled from New York City today to Havana, Cuba with the Horns to Havana not-for-profit organization to conduct workshops and perform at four Cuban music academies. Horns to Havana's lyrical cultural exchange between the American jazz community and Cuban music students based on music with deeply shared African as well as European roots. Horns to Havana delivered a full planeload of musical instruments and nearly ...
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Saxophonist Erica von Kleist Performance & CD Release at NYC’S Jazz Gallery June 9
Source:
Jennifer Kramer
Erica von Kleist & No Exceptions Performance & CD release party Thursday, June 9, 2011 2 sets: 9pm & 10:30pm Cover: $10—$20, Members $5 -10 withvalid student ID The Jazz Gallery 290 Hudson Street (btwn Spring and Dominik) New York, NY 10013 212.242.1063 Saxophonist-flautist, Erica von Kleist releases her second self-produced CD, Erica von Kleist & No Exceptions leading her band at NYC's Jazz Gallery for the official CD release ...
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Saxophonist Erica Von Kleist Releases Second Recording "Erica Von Kleist & No Exceptions"
Source:
Jennifer Kramer
Erica von Kleist's sophomore album entitled Erica von Kleist & No Exceptions is an eclectic collection of new arrangements and compositions, mirroring both jazz and pop influences. Her song list weaves the listener through funky, R&B-tinged titles such as “E's Boogaloo" and “The Eraser," Latin-jazz numbers like “Erica with a C" and “Thriller," Brazilian-themed pieces as in “Summer Soft" and “Monday Drivers," and of course a stirring rendition of “Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael, and Erica's award-winning original composition “Dirty Martini." ...
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Primary Instrument
Saxophone
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
I'm available to teach saxophone, flute, piccolo and/or doubling, in addition to music business career coaching.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Multi-instrumentalist and educator Erica von Kleist has led many lives as a musician and producer, leading the charge as woodwind specialist, educator, and entrepreneur. After receiving the first jazz bachelor’s degree in the history of the Juilliard School, Erica went on to tour and record with Sean Jones, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, spent time working on Broadway
Charles Mingus
bass, acoustic
Thelonious Monk
pianoPhotos
Music
Grooveyard
From: GrooveyardBy Erica von Kleist
Videos
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