Eric Marienthal

Eric Marienthal stands out as a Grammy-winning contemporary jazz saxophonist, composer, vocalist, and producer. After building his jazz credentials through sideman work alongside Al Hirt and pivotal roles in the Chick Corea Elektric Band plus the Jeff Lorber Fusion, he launched a solo path as a bandleader and recording artist beginning with Voices of the Heart in 1988. The saxophonist’s crystal-clear, emotive yet icy tone caught the attention of smooth jazz radio programmers, who valued his fluid blending of jazz-funk, soul, pop, and quiet adult contemporary R&B. Commercial success arrived with 1991’s Oasis, which reached number five on the contemporary jazz charts. Beyond his own releases, he has performed with an array of artists ranging from Elton John and Stevie Wonder to Barbra Streisand and David Lee Roth. Following the arrival of 1995’s Street Dance, his albums started appearing on the standard jazz charts as well. Standout best-sellers include 1998’s Walk Tall and 2015’s Bridges with Chuck Loeb.

Marienthal grew up in Sacramento and studied at the Berklee College of Music for two years. After leaving the school he toured as a session player and moved to New Orleans once hired by trumpeter Al Hirt. During his time with Hirt he auditioned successfully for the Disneyland Band and departed the trumpeter’s group. He then worked full-time on staff while also maintaining a schedule as a studio and live musician.

In 1986 he encountered Chick Corea and shortly afterward secured a position in the Elektric Band. He cut six albums and joined multiple world tours with the ensemble. Around the same period he obtained a solo recording deal with GRP. His debut as a leader, Voices of the Heart, appeared in 1988 and was produced by and featured Corea. The following two projects, 1989’s Round Trip and 1990’s Crossroads, were co-produced by Marienthal and fellow Elektric Band member John Patitucci. During this active stretch he served as a regular GRP studio musician, stayed with Corea’s Elektric Band, and toured with the GRP All-Star Big Band as well as the groups of Lee Ritenour and David Benoit, all while leading his own band. He brought in Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante for 1991’s Oasis. That album became his biggest success to date, landing in the Top Five on the contemporary jazz charts while two tracks reached the Top Ten on the national contemporary jazz radio charts. Lorber went on to produce two additional GRP releases, 1993’s One Touch and 1994’s Street Dance. In 1995 Marienthal received the Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music.

He departed GRP for Ritenour’s newly formed Verve-distributed imprint ie: Music. The guitarist helmed Easy Street, issued in 1997, whose title track became a contemporary jazz radio hit. His next leader date for the label, 1998’s Walk Tall, paid tribute to Cannonball Adderley. Produced by Harvey Mason, the single “Here in My Heart” held the number-one spot on the national Contemporary Jazz charts for three weeks, while a cover of Adderley’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” climbed to number five.

Over the next five years Marienthal worked steadily as a studio and touring musician with numerous acts, serving as lead alto player in composer Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. He also acted as musical director for an annual fundraising concert benefiting High Hopes, the California nonprofit assisting those who have experienced traumatic head injuries.

In 2002 Marienthal joined the Peak label run by Rippingtons member Russ Freeman. He recorded four albums there: 2003’s Sweet Talk, 2005’s Got You Covered, which presented an all-star band interpreting cover material, 2007’s Just Around the Corner, and 2011’s Turn Up the Heat featuring Robben Ford and Lorber. In 2012 his It’s Love appeared on eOne Entertainment the same day Jeff Lorber’s revamped Jeff Lorber Fusion released Galaxy; Marienthal joined that band and continued collaborating with Lorber. In 2015 he partnered with the Yellowjackets’ Chuck Loeb on Bridges and the accompanying tour. The album reached number 15 on the jazz albums chart and number six on the contemporary jazz list.