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/co-leader Recording dateTitleLabel Year releasedNotes 1992–08Straight UpDelmark 1993Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), George Fludas (drums) 1992–12New York CallingCriss Cross 1993Quintet, with John Swana (trumpet/fluegelhorn), Richard Wyands (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 1993–08 Up, Over & OutDelmark 1995Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Ore (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 1994–01Full RangeCriss Cross 1995Sextet, with John Swana (trumpet), Kenny Barron (piano), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Carl Allen (drums) 1995–05Eric Alexander in EuropeCriss Cross 1995Quartet, with Melvin Rhyne (organ), Bobby Broom (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)1995StablematesDelmark 1996 Co-led Quintet with Lin Halliday (tenor sax), with Jodie Christian (piano), Dan Shapera (bass), Wilbur Campbell (drums) 1996–12Two of a KindCriss Cross 1997Quintet, with Cecil Payne (baritone sax), David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 1997–01Man with a HornMilestone 1997Most tracks quartet, with Cedar Walton (piano), Dwayne Burno (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks sextet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone) added 1997–05Alexander the GreatHighNote 2000Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Charles Earland (organ), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [rel. 2000] 1997–05Mode for MabesDelmark 1998Sextet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), George Fludas (drums) 1997–12 Heavy Hitters Pony Canyon 1998Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 1998–04, 1998–05Solid!Milestone 1998Most 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 1998–11A Love Story32 Jazz 2000Quartet, with Cyrus Chestnut (piano), George Mraz (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); AKA 'The Keystone Quartet' 1998–12Extra InningsAlfa Jazz 2000Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 1999–03 Live at the Keynote Video Arts 1999 Live. Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 1999–11The First MilestoneMilestone 2000Quintet, with Pat Martino (guitar), Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2000–12The Second MilestoneMilestone 2001Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); three tracks quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet) added 2001–12 Groovin' Blues M & I 2002 Co-led with Junior Mance. With Junior Mance Trio. 2001–12Summit MeetingMilestone 2002Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); four tracks quintet, with Nicholas Payton (trumpet, fluegelhorn) added 2002–12Nightlife in TokyoMilestone 2003Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2004–03 Gentle Ballads Venus 2004Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2004–06Dead CenterHighNote 2004Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2005–03 Sunday in New York Venus 2005Quartet, with John Hicks (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2005–07It's All in the GameHighNote 2006Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2006–03Gentle Ballads II Venus 2006Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2007–01Temple of Olympic ZeusHighNote 2007Most tracks quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet) added 2007–04In Concert: Prime TimeHighNote 2008 Live. Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2007–09My Favorite Things Venus 2008Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2007–11 Gentle Ballads III Venus 2008Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2008–08 Lazy Afternoon: Gentle Ballads IV Venus 2009Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2009–04Revival of the FittestHighNote 2009Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); one track duo, with Mike LeDonne (piano) 2009–10 Chim Chim Cheree Venus 2010Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2010–11Don't Follow the CrowdHighNote 2011Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2011–03 Gentle Ballads V Venus 2011Quartet, with George Cables (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2012–10TouchingHighNote 2013Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2011–12, 2012–01,2012–08,2013–03With StringsHighNote 2019Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), plus string orchestra (conducted by Dave Rivello)Eric Alexander, With Strings. Review by Alex Henderson, NYCJR, January 2020, Issue 213, page 14 - retrieved 9 January 2020. 2013–03 Blues at Midnight Venus 2013Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2013–07 Recado Bossa Nova Venus 2014Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2013–11Chicago FireHighNote 2014Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) added 2015–04The Real ThingHighNote 2015Most tracks quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); some tracks quintet, with Pat Martino (guitar) added 2016–03Second ImpressionHighNote 2016Quartet, with Harold Mabern (piano, Fender Rhodes), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2016–09 Just One of Those Things Venus 2016Trio, with Dezron Douglas (bass), Neal Smith (drums) 2017–06Song of No RegretsHighNote 2017Most tracks quintet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), Alex Diaz (percussion); some tracks sextet, with Jon Faddis (trumpet) added 2018–05, 2018–08Leap of Faith Giant Step Arts 2019 Live. Trio, with Doug Weiss (bass), Johnathan Blake (drums) 2021–08, 2021–12A New Beginning: Alto Saxophone with StringsHighNote 2023Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), plus string orchestra (conducted by Bill Dobbins) 2023–04Timing Is Everything Cellar Music Group 2024Quartet, 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") 2023–07Together Cellar Music Group 2024 Co-led Duo with Mike LeDonne (piano) 2024–05Chicago to New York Cellar Music Group 2025Quartet, with Mike LeDonne (piano), Dennis Carroll (bass), George Fludas (drums) 2024–11Like Sugar Cellar Music Group 2025Quartet, with David Hazeltine (piano), Dennis Carroll (bass), George Fludas (drums) Reeds and DeedsWith Grant Stewart Wailin (Criss Cross, 2004) Cookin' (Criss Cross, 2005) Tenor Time (Criss Cross, 2010)
As a member One for AllWith Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine and 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 ColemanCharles Earland Tribute BandWith Joey DeFrancesco, Bob DeVos and Pat Martino Keepers of the Flame (A Tribute to Charles Earland) (HighNote, 2002)New York All-Stars Burnin' In London (Ubuntu Music, 2017) – quartet with Harold Mabern Live Encounter (Ubuntu Music, 2018) – sextet with Seamus Blake and Mike LeDonne
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 Bob DeVos Shifting Sands (Savant, 2005) Playing for Keeps (Savant, 2007)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) – rec. 1997 Charles Earland Live (Cannonball, 1999) – rec. 1997 Stomp! (HighNote, 2000) – rec. 1999With Joe Farnsworth Beautiful Friendship (Criss Cross, 1999) – rec. 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) Split Decision (Smoke Sessions, 2025)With Randy Johnston Jubilation (Muse, 1994) – rec. 1992 In A-Chord (Muse, 1995) – rec. 1994With Mike LeDonne''' Then & Now (Double-Time, 1999) 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) 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) 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)