# Eric Alexander (jazz saxophonist)

Eric Alexander (born August 4, 1968) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. Having placed second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition behind Joshua Redman and ahead of Chris Potter and Tim Warfield, he was soon signed by a record label and has since recorded over 20 albums as a leader and over 300 as a sideman.

## Early life and education

Alexander was born in Illinois. He began as a classical musician, studying alto saxophone at Indiana University with Eugene Rousseau in 1986. He soon switched to jazz and the tenor saxophone, however, and transferred to William Paterson University, where he studied with Harold Mabern, Rufus Reid, Joe Lovano, Gary Smulyan, Norman Simmons, Steve Turre and others.

## Career

Alexander finished second at the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Later that year, he made his recording debut with Charles Earland and released his debut album on Delmark the following year.
Alexander has worked with many jazz musicians, including Chicago pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Idris Muhammad, and guitarist Pat Martino. He is part of Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet with Peter Bernstein, and Joe Farnsworth. He has recorded and toured extensively with the sextet, One for All, and The Battle with Vincent Herring.

## Discography
### As leader

| Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
| 1992 | Straight Up | Delmark | Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), George Fludas (drums) |
| 1992 | New York Calling | Criss Cross | Quintet, with John Swana (trumpet/fluegelhorn), Richard Wyands (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) |
| 1993 | Up, Over & Out | Delmark | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Ore (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1994 | Full Range | Criss Cross | Sextet, with John Swana (trumpet), Kenny Barron (piano), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Carl Allen (drums) |
| 1995 | Eric Alexander in Europe | Criss Cross | Quartet, with Melvin Rhyne (organ), Bobby Broom (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1995 | Stablemates | Delmark | Quintet, with Lin Halliday (tenor sax), Jodie Christian (piano), Dan Shapera (bass), Wilbur Campbell (drums) |
| 1996 | Two of a Kind | Criss Cross | Quintet, with Cecil Payne (baritone sax), David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1997 | Man with a Horn | Milestone | Most tracks quartet, with Cedar Walton (piano), Dwayne Burno (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks sextet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone) added |
| 1997 | Alexander the Great | HighNote | Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Charles Earland (organ), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [rel. 2000] |
| 1997 | Heavy Hitters | Pony Canyon | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1997 | Mode for Mabes | Delmark | Sextet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), George Fludas (drums) |
| 1998 | Extra Innings | Alfa Jazz | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1998 | Solid! | Milestone | Most tracks quartet, with John Hicks (piano), George Mraz (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet) added; one track quintet, with Joe Locke (vibes) replacing Alexander; one track solo piano by Hicks |
| 1998 | A Love Story | 32 Jazz | Quartet, with Cyrus Chestnut (piano), George Mraz (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); AKA 'The Keystone Quartet' |
| 1999 | Live at the Keynote | Video Arts | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 1999 | The First Milestone | Milestone | Quintet, with Pat Martino (guitar), Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2000 | The Second Milestone | Milestone | Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); three tracks quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet) added |
| 2001 | Summit Meeting | Milestone | Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); four tracks quintet, with Nicholas Payton (trumpet, fluegelhorn) added |
| 2002 | Nightlife in Tokyo | Milestone | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2004 | Gentle Ballads | Venus | Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [note: includes 2 versions of "Harlem Nocturne"] |
| 2004 | Dead Center | HighNote | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2005 | Sunday in New York | Venus | Quartet, with John Hicks (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2005 | It's All in the Game | HighNote | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2006 | Gentle Ballads II | Venus | Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2007 | Temple of Olympic Zeus | HighNote | Most tracks quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet) added |
| 2007 | My Favorite Things | Venus | Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2007 | In Concert: Prime Time | HighNote | Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2007 | Gentle Ballads III | Venus | Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2008 | Lazy Afternoon: Gentle Ballads IV | Venus | Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2009 | Revival of the Fittest | HighNote | Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); one track duo, with Mike LeDonne (piano) |
| 2009 | Chim Chim Cheree | Venus | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2010 | Don't Follow the Crowd | HighNote | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2011 | Gentle Ballads V | Venus | Quartet, with George Cables (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2012 | Touching | HighNote | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2013 | Blues at Midnight | Venus | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2013 | Recado Bossa Nova | Venus | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2013 | Chicago Fire | HighNote | Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) added |
| 2015 | The Real Thing | HighNote | Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Pat Martino (guitar) added |
| 2016 | Second Impression | HighNote | Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano, Fender Rhodes), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
| 2016 | Just One of Those Things | Venus | Trio, with Dezron Douglas (bass), Neal Smith (drums) |
| 2017 | Song of No Regrets | HighNote | Most tracks quintet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), Alex Diaz (percussion); some tracks sextet, with Jon Faddis (trumpet) added |
| 2019 | Leap of Faith | Giant Step Arts | Trio, with Doug Weiss (bass), Johnathan Blake (drums) |
| 2019 | With Strings | HighNote | Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), plus string orchestra (conducted by Dave Rivello) |
| 2023 | A New Beginning: Alto Saxophone With Strings | HighNote | Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), plus string orchestra (conducted by Bill Dobbins) |
| 2024 | Timing Is Everything | Cellar Music Group | Quartet, with Rick Germanson (piano), Alexander Claffy (bass), Jason Tiemann (drums), plus guests: Jed Paradies- flute (on "Serenade To A Cuckoo"), Rale Micic- guitar (on "Serenade To A Cuckoo"), Alma Micic- voice (on "Evergreen"), Stan Wetering- tenor sax (on "Big G’s Monk") |
| 2024 | Together | Cellar Music Group | Duo, with Mike LeDonne (piano) |

### As sideman

With Steve Davis
* The Jaunt (Criss Cross, 1995)
* Dig Deep (Criss Cross, 1996
* Crossfire (Criss Cross, 1997
* Say When (Smoke Sessions, 2015)
With Charles Earland
* Unforgettable (Muse, 1991)
* I Ain't Jivin'...I'm Jammin' (Muse, 1992)
* Ready 'n' Able (Muse, 1995)
* Blowing the Blues Away (HighNote, 1997)
* Cookin' with the Mighty Burner (HighNote, 1999; recorded 1997)
* Charles Earland Live (Cannonball, 1999; recorded 1997)
* Stomp! (HighNote, 2000; recorded 1999)
* Charles Earland Tribute Band: Keepers Of The Flame (HighNote, 2002) (includes Joey DeFrancesco, Bob DeVos, Pat Martino)
With Joe Farnsworth
* Beautiful Friendship (Criss Cross, 1998)
* It's Prime Time (Eighty-Eight's, 2003)
* Super Prime Time (Eighty-Eight's, 2011)
* My Heroes (Tribute to the Legends) (Venus, 2014)
With David Hazeltine
* Blues Quarters, Vol. 1 (Criss Cross, 1998)
* The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander (Sharp Nine, 2001)
* Manhattan Autumn (Sharp Nine, 2001)
* Blues Quarters, Vol. 2 (Criss Cross, 2006)
* The Inspiration Suite (Sharp Nine, 2007)
* Inversions (Criss Cross, 2010)
With Vincent Herring
* The Battle: Live at Smoke (HighNote, 2005)
* Friendly Fire: Live at Smoke (HighNote, 2012)
* In The Spirit of Coltrane and Cannonball (Yanagisawa, 2012)
With Randy Johnston
* Jubilation (Muse, 1992 [rel. 1994])
* In A-Chord (Muse, 1994 [rel. 1995])
With Mike LeDonne
* Then & Now (Double-Time, 1999) (quintet with Jim Rotondi)
* Smokin' Out Loud (Savant, 2004)
* You'll See! (Live at The Cellar) (Cellar Live, 2004)
* On Fire (Live at Smoke) (Savant, 2006)
* Five Live (Live at Smoke) (Savant, 2007) (quintet with Jeremy Pelt)
* The Groover (Savant, 2009)
* Keep the Faith (Savant, 2011) ('The Groover Quartet')
* I Love Music (Savant, 2013) ('The Groover Quartet')
* Awwl Right! (Savant, 2015) ('The Groover Quartet')
* That Feelin' (Savant, 2016) ('The Groover Quartet')
* From the Heart (Savant, 2018) ('The Groover Quartet')
* It's All Your Fault (Savant, 2021) ('The Groover Quartet')
* The Heavy Hitters (Cellar Music Group, 2023) (sextet with Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring)
* Wonderful! (Cellar Music Group, 2024) ('The Groover Quartet')
* That's What's Up! (Cellar Music Group, 2024) ('The Heavy Hitters' sextet with Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring)
With Harold Mabern
* Kiss of Fire (Venus, 2001)
* Mr. Lucky (A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.) (HighNote, 2012)
* Afro Blue (Smoke Sessions, 2015)
* To Love and Be Loved (Smoke Sessions, 2017)
* The Iron Man: Live at Smoke (Smoke Sessions, 2018)
* Mabern Plays Mabern (Smoke Sessions, 2018 [rel. 2020])
* Mabern Plays Coltrane (Smoke Sessions, 2018 [rel. 2021])
With Jimmy McGriff
* McGriff's House Party (Milestone, 1999)
With New York All-Stars
* Burnin' In London (Ubuntu Music, 2017) (quartet with Harold Mabern)
* Live Encounter (Ubuntu Music, 2018) (sextet with Seamus Blake, Mike LeDonne)
With One for All (co-leader with Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, Joe Farnsworth)
* Too Soon to Tell (Sharp Nine, 1997)
* Optimism (Sharp Nine, 1998)
* Upward and Onward (Criss Cross, 1999)
* The Long Haul (Criss Cross, 2000)
* The End of a Love Affair (Venus, 2001)
* Live at Smoke, Volume 1 (Criss Cross, 2001)
* Wide Horizons (Criss Cross, 2002)
* No Problem: Tribute to Art Blakey (Venus, 2003)
* Blueslike (Criss Cross, 2003)
* Killer Joe (Venus, 2005)
* The Lineup (Sharp Nine, 2006)
* What's Going On (Venus, 2007)
* Return of the Lineup (Sharp Nine, 2008)
* Incorrigible (Jazz Legacy Productions, 2009)
* Invades Vancouver! (Live at The Cellar) (Cellar Live, 2010)
* The Third Decade (Smoke Sessions, 2016)
* Big George (Smoke Sessions, 2024) with guest: George Coleman
With Cecil Payne
* Cerupa (Delmark, 1993 [rel. 1995])
* Scotch and Milk (Delmark, 1996)
* Payne's Window (Delmark, 1998)
With Reeds and Deeds (co-leader with Grant Stewart)
* Wailin' (Criss Cross, 2004)
* Cookin' (Criss Cross, 2005)
* Tenor Time (Criss Cross, 2010)
With Irene Reid
* Million Dollar Secret (Savant, 1997)
* I Ain't Doing Too Bad (Savant, 1999)
* The Uptown Lowdown (Savant, 2000)
* One Monkey Don't Stop No Show (Savant, 2002)
With Jim Rotondi
* Introducing Jim Rotondi (Criss Cross, 1996)
* Jim's Bop (Criss Cross, 1997)
* Excursions (Criss Cross, 1998)
* Blues for Brother Ray (Posi-Tone, 2009)
* Live at Smalls (Smalls Live, 2009)
* Hard Hittin' at the Bird's Eye (Sharp Nine, 2012)
With Larry Willis
* The Offering (HighNote, 2008)

### With others

* The Tenor Triangle: Tell It Like It Is (Criss Cross, 1993) (sextet with Ralph Lalama, Tad Shull, and the Melvin Rhyne Trio)
* Joe Magnarelli: Why Not (Criss Cross, 1994)
* The Tenor Triangle: Aztec Blues (Criss Cross, 1994) (sextet with Ralph Lalama, Tad Shull, and the Melvin Rhyne Trio)
* Rick Stone: Steppin' Back (Jazzand, 1994) (organ quartet with Sam Yahel, Joe Farnsworth)
* Robert Mazurek: Badlands (Hep, 1995)
* Melvin Rhyne: Stick to the Kick (Criss Cross, 1995) (quintet includes Ryan Kisor, Peter Bernstein)
* John Swana: In the Moment (Criss Cross, 1995) (sextet includes Steve Davis, Kenny Barron)
* Atro "Wade" Mikkola Quartet: On The Way (AMK [Finland], 1995)
* Peter Bernstein: Brain Dance (Criss Cross, 1996) (quintet includes Steve Davis, Larry Goldings)
* Robert Mazurek: Green & Blue (Hep, 1996)
* Mark Elf: A Minor Scramble (Jen Bay, 1996)
* Michael Weiss: Power Station (DIW, 1997)
* Dave Specter & Lenny Lynn: Blues Spoken Here (Delmark, 1998)
* Pat Martino: Stone Blue (Blue Note, 1998)
* John Swana & Joe Magnarelli: Philly-New York Junction (Criss Cross, 1998)
* Paul Bollenback: Soul Grooves (Challenge, 1998)
* Yoron Israel Connection: Live at the Blue Note (Half Note, 1998)
* Melvin Rhyne: Classmasters (Criss Cross, 1999) (quartet includes Peter Bernstein)
* Norman Simmons: The Art of Norman Simmons (Savant, 2000) (quintet includes Henry Johnson)
* Mads Baerentzen Trio Featuring Eric Alexander: 785 Madison Ave. (Music Mecca, 2000)
* Dmitri Kolesnik: Blues for Dad (Boheme, 2001)
* Jimmy Scott: But Beautiful (Milestone, 2001)
* Jimmy Scott: Moon Glow (Milestone, 2001)
* Ryan Kisor: The Dream (Criss Cross, 2001)
* Norman Simmons: Synthesis (Savant, 2002) (quintet includes Henry Johnson)
* Junior Mance Trio & Eric Alexander: Groovin' Blues (M & I, 2002)
* Joe Magnarelli & John Swana: New York-Philly Junction (Criss Cross, 2003)
* Jimmy Cobb's Mob: Cobb's Groove (Milestone, 2003) (quintet with Richard Wyands, Peter Bernstein, John Webber)
* Simone [Kopmajer] (with Romantic Jazz Trio and Eric Alexander): Romance (Venus, 2004)
* Jim Snidero: Close Up (Milestone, 2004)
* Freddy Cole: This Love of Mine (HighNote, 2005)
* Terry Gibbs: Feelin' Good – Live in Studio (Mack Avenue, 2005) (sextet includes Joey DeFrancesco)
* Bob DeVos: Shifting Sands (Savant, 2005)
* Bob DeVos: Playing for Keeps (Savant, 2007)
* Dmitri Kolesnik: Five Corners (Challenge, 2007)
* John Swana: Bright Moments (Criss Cross, 2007)
* Dave O'Higgins Quintet Featuring Eric Alexander: Sketchbook (Jazzizit, 2008)
* Stewy Von Wattenwyl Generations Trio Featuring Eric Alexander: Live at Marians (Bemsha Music, 2008)
* Meeting Point: Quintessence (Challenge, 2008) (quintet with Jim Rotondi, Andrei Kondakov, Dmitri Kolesnik, Lenny White)
* Neal Smith Quintet: Live at Smalls (Smalls Live, 2009)
* Pat Martino Quartet: Undeniable: Live at Blues Alley (HighNote, 2011)
* Alexis Cole (with One for All): You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Venus, 2011)
* I Carry Your Heart: Alexis Cole Sings Pepper Adams (Motéma, 2012)
* Dee Daniels: State of the Art (Criss Cross, 2013) (quartet includes Cyrus Chestnut)
* Dena DeRose: We Won't Forget You...An Homage To Shirley Horn (HighNote, 2014) (with Jeremy Pelt, Gary Smulyan)
* Federico Bonifazi: You'll See (Steeplechase, 2015)
* Bernd Reiter Quintet Featuring Eric Alexander: Workout at Bird's Eye (A Tribute to Hank Mobley & Grant Green) (Steeplechase, 2015)
* The Candy Men: Harry Allen's All Star New York Saxophone Band (Arbors, 2015) (with Grant Stewart, Gary Smulyan)
* Andrew Dickeson With Eric Alexander: Is That So (Andrew Dickeson Productions, 2017)
* David Kikoski: Phoenix Rising (HighNote, 2019)
* Cory Weeds: O Sole Mio! Music From The Motherland (Cellar Music Group, 2019 [rel. 2021])
* Michael Weiss: Persistence (Cellar Music Group, 2022)
* Caesar Frazier: Tenacity / As We Speak (Track Merchant, 2022)
* Paul Brusger: A Soul Contract (SteepleChase, 2023)
* Bernie Senensky: Moment To Moment (Cellar Music Group, 2023 [rec. 2001 and 2020])
* Thom Rotella: Side Hustle (HighNote, 2024)