Eric Alexander "Sugar" live at the Artists' Quarter

[keeskrabben]

Awesome!



[gisaac46]

Eric Alexander is one of the best in the business when it comes to tenor saxophone playing. Yes there is an obvious nod to Michael Brecker in his playing, however, please don't make the mistake in not understanding that he is one of the best saxophonist alive and this video is really just a snipit of his immense talent!

[balancedaction6]

Beast tone.

[BennyMax37]

Ottima tecnica e perfetto sound, Una giovane promessa già da un pò alla ribalta.

[Optimus320]

Where's the soul? Not hating on him, but I don't feel him, it just sounds like a technical exercise. Go back and listen to Stanley and tell me if you feel him. Eric is a monster technician, but fellow musicians let's not forget that it's music and not a shoot-out at the OK Chorale! It's ok to play out and burn with notes and patterns, but where is the heart? Does it appeal to both your emotion and intellect or just intellect?

[Optimus320]

Where's the soul? Not hating on him, but I don't feel him, it just sounds like a technical exercise. Go back and listen to Stanley and tell me if you feel him. Eric is a monster technician, but fellow musicians let's not forget that it's music and not a shoot-out at the OK Chorale! It's ok to play out and burn with notes and patterns, but where is the heart? Does it appeal to both your emotion and intellect or just intellect?

[prezglick4]

zzzzzzzzzz

[saxflute45]

You are right about the musical chances,I do not mind him not taking them though :-)I basically sound the same as him,I heard him once and said..that´s the sound I´m after.

[saxflute45]

If he is not the best tenor around right now,he will soon be,he is just awesome,my favourite.

[saxev2005]

He used to be my absolute favorite, but there are sax players out there today that I feel take more musical chances in both their writing and soloing such as Potter or Redman. I'd still take Eric's tone over any other tenor tone I've heard; its so big and warm.

[RMcGO28716]

Dude check out Tommy SMith Scottish Tenor PLayer been around for a while.

In my humble opinion possibly the best sound on TEnor SAxophone since " Stan Getz "

BEst

Robert

Glasgow Scotland ( Formerly NEw York City )

[boxing1000]

@saxflute45 The best?Hold on,ever heard of Jerry Bergonzi or Steve Grossman?Eric is good but they are legends!

[Whatisthescore]

It's pretty good, but this guy (along with most other contemporary jazz artists) needs to use more space and dynamics!

[CamTheCat]

Well, that's your opinion, not a statement of fact. On this particular version of this song the band went with a modern sound and Eric played very busy and at times pretty outside. That's what they wanted to do. I'm sure if they wanted to do it mellow with lots of space and bluesy sounds they could.

There's a time and a place for both styles.

[GanjaGabe]

word eric has a great sense of space and dynamics. i know ive heard him play on multiple occasions

[MrBlues2jazz]

I like where they took this simple melody (blues) swinger. inside out approach is cool. he's is one of the top tenors out there for sure. I love it when he plays with Harold Mabern, I think Harold forces him to reach new heights noutside his comfort zone.

[RMcGO28716]

Dude check out Tommy SMith SCottish Tenor PLayer . Masterful musician . His tenor playing is rivaled only by his talent as a composer . His work ethic & attitude to fellow & upcoming musicians is unparalleled . Has singlehandedly brought scottish musicians & the Scottish Jazz scene out of the dark ages . Seriously under rated Eric is awesome both in sound & technical ability will surely grow into one of the greats.. Tommy SMith " Spartacus Records "

[laughingtiger123]

sounds nice... missing some of the chordal movement, though. It's a tune that has a lot more going on than the usual 1-V-1 that guys play. Nice sound.

[manuelcolombiano]

BAKANOOOOOO

[Saxyman14]

2:07 - 2:10 is right out of the Guy Laquor 32 Etudes book. Sweet application of classical stuff.

[PROUDTOBEFAT]

good ear for noticing that.

[Saxyman14]

not 32 etudes, shit... I forgot the number. oh well.

[mikebassy]

i agree that `sugar` is not a love supreme minor burn up its a blues groove of the highest order . the stanley t version is one of the slickest grooves ever committed to plastic and george bensons solo says it all . eric sounds great , but its typical of so many whites to take something with a groove and then spoil it with by making it more complex . im white so i should know ... but eric sounds great . a very accomplished man .

[jazzjitsu]

You're white so you should know?! Think man.

So Kenny Garrett or Herbie Hancock or Joshua Redman never took anything with a groove and made it more complex, thereby, as you say, spoiling it? What does race have to do with it? Maybe you clap on 1 and 3 1/2 but I don't think Eric does.

To all the critics out there:

How can you people be so arrogant as to criticize the greatest musicians on earth? Are there some other better musicians somewhere, to which only you guys may listen?

[mikebassy]

ok jazzjitsu i submit , i think i was drunk when i wrote that comment and its stupid to compare eric to stanley turrentine . by the way what do you think of my film jamming the blues at smalls 2 ? i think sacha perry is a major jazz talent and i was honoured to jam with him . do you play yourself by the way ? cheers , mike x

[jazzjitsu]

You submit... that's funny! Sorry if I was too harsh. I watched your video but I did'nt know who was who. And yes I'm a tenor player.

cheers to you, jj

[mikebassy]

no you wasnt too harsh , its good to debate without getting into a slagging match . im the bassist in the film and sacha perry is the pianist . he plays a lot at smalls in new york and im a total fan of his . do you have any films up ? i watched your jaleel shaw film , the pianist on that looks interesting and pent up house is a great song .

[jazzjitsu]

You sounded really good. It must have been a huge thrill for you. I don't have any videos of myself playing. I wish I did. I favorited the Jaleel Shaw for my son who plays alto. Eric Alexander showed up at a club where I was playing one night. That was rather unnerving but after the gig we went out drinking together. He's a really cool guy.

[saxev2005]

eric is a great guy. i ran across him practicing in some random room at the university of louisville when i was at the jamey aebersold camp and he was so down to earth. Now, that I'm of the drinking age, it would be fun to sit down and have a few beers with the guy....haha

[rey1953]

I think Eric is one the best currently playing. I particularly like the stuff with 1 For All. Only time I have heard him live was with Charles Earland at Green Dolphin St. in Chicago. Eric tore it up but he had to with Charles or get left in the dust. Eric was definitely up to the task. If you can find a release on Cannonball Records, Charles Earland Live, you will hear what I mean.

[icecreamforcrowhurst]

Smokin'

[saxman1717]

I love Eric's approach to interpretation of someone else's landmark tune....but in this instance I must say....Stanley Turrentine he is not and should not have attempted to put this into a Love Supreme Mode! I have found that no one has the ability to follow in the foot steps of the masters. SAD!!!

[mikebassy]

i agree with you mate .

[craig19721972]

Nice playing technique fine ,tone great,too much playing in the same octave,also be nice to hear everyone else solo too as this is what jazz is all about.Maybe a bit predictable in note choice after second time around the head.

[Jazzguitar00]

You realize that the person who posted this isn't Eric Alexander...right? And even if it was, Eric Alexander is already building a carreer in New York and probably doesn't need youtube for feedback.

[jazzjitsu]

Yeah he played in those same four octaves the entire time! What a hack! I can't wait to hear your solo so we'll all know how to play 15 choruses of sugar without sounding one bit predictable.

[masqualero]

Yes!, one of the best.

[fatheadthedog]

what a Great Sound what Great Playing!!

[flugalsweetness]

This guy has the emotional content of a rock!

[koko420]

Respect to Eric Alexander, I think he is a wonderful saxophonist, although I tend to grow tired of his playing after listening to him for extended periods of time. I find cats like Jimmy Greene and Wayne Escoffery more interesting.

[hhm478]

one of the best out there today! His tone is great.. love the big Chicago sound

[youbiedoobiedoo]

Pretty outside playing for such an inside player. I think he is stretching, which is always cool! Not sure if I'm accurate, but I hear a lot of George Coleman influence, who I like! However, I don't hear any of Stanley's time feel, power, emotion and soul, other then the fact that he happens to be the composer of the tune. But, hey, maybe he's trying to put his own stamp on the music. Esp.since a lot of people do this RealBook tune - better to say your own thing, but still, it sounds stiff&cold.

[alexwcoleman]

Eric studied with Big George for a long while, and when asked for lessons, George tells folks to go see Eric. If you want to hear Eric in a great duelling tenor situation check out Reeds 'n Deeds on Criss Cross records with Grant Stewart.

[youbiedoobiedoo]

Yeah, heard the dueling with Grant. Grant wins easily. Eric comes off as a "licks" player. Doesn't hold interest over the long haul. Also why doesn't he duel with cats of a different style (like the old days). How about a Brecker/Coltrane clone (a period he doesn't ack much in his playing) or Garzone, Bergonzi, J. Frahm, Potter or Margitza, Tim Riess or etc! Know what I mean? Eric's music is locked in time & doesn't pay tribute to enough of jazz history! Coleman is not liked by all...ask Herbie.

[Jazzguitar00]

What does Stanley have to do with it? Jazz is about bringing YOUR personality to it, it's good to understand the composer, but trying to sound like them is not what jazz is about, never has been, never will be.

[RMcGO28716]

Dude you are so right !!

Admire the time & practice hours it must have took to earn so many licks & lines , however the point is to actually forget all that practice room time & create something new & spontaneous

Best

R...

[LeonLeonheart5422]

I'm really not into his sound...I just seems to straightforward with no life to it whatsoever...Technique wise hes a monster, but the way he shows it just isn't to my liking.

[jazzyoz]

soundadvise, you missed one......dexter gordon but it could be because george coleman and coltrane listened to Dexter.

[irosenberg1]

you guys are obviously fucking nuts. eric alexander is one of the best sax players out there right now... he should have beaten joshua redman in the monk comp. in 91.

[SwerdyJazz]

He's either three cones down...or he really needs three cones...Relax man and let the music flow, you can play a shoestring if you are sincere...Coltrane said that. Peace.

[yeahmanitsme]

Yeah "blaman6" but the computer would have had more pocket that he has!

[blaman6]

Dude sounds like a computer program

[SaxmanKan]

Eric is the real deal, he works hard at his craft! Also writes a column in Runners World, he is a dedicated practicer & a marathon runner.

As far as his sound, he does long tone practice everyday. You should hear his sound live, Wow!

[geraldcody]

Colorful

[TheFranchise147]

what a great sound...

[nyshoefly]

sounds like hes practicing. needs to let go...

[Jazzedsince3]

Sounds like his playing like he practices.

[nyshoefly]

THAT TOO!

[theFrigatt]

good solo (brecker would be proud.. ;)

[slothedog]

wow!