Eric Marienthal : Smooth Jazz Now

Smooth Jazz Christmas 2005
September 28, 2005 - Smooth Jazz artists Dave Koz, Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan, Eric Marienthal, Vanessa Williams, Norman Brown, David Benoit, Toni Braxton, Rick Braun, and Gerald Albright, will all contribute to this holiday seasons "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tribute". The album is due October 4th from Peak Records.

Anita Baker will also release a holiday album with Blue Note. "Christmas Fantasy" hits stores October 4th, and will feature appearances by Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Ricky Lawson, and all four members of The Yellowjackets. Barry Eastman, who co-produces here, also wrote three original tunes for the outing.

Diana Krall will deliver her first Christmas album in 2005. The outing, "Christmas Songs" will be released on Verve November 1st.

Dave Koz and friends, David Benoit, Patti Austin, and Jonathan Butler will be hitting the road on "A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour". Dates are available on www.davekoz.com - by Cheryl Philips

Eric Marienthal's Evening of Hope

July 8, 2005 - Eric Marienthal is set to appear at the Hyatt Regency Newporter in Newport Beach July 24 for "An Evening of Hope". This will be a benefit concert with proceeds going to "High Hopes" a head injury organization. More information can be found on the organizations website at www.highhopes.ws Marienthal is featured on the new Rippingtons album "Wild Card." - by Cheryl Philips

Smooth Jazz News
June 21, 2005 - Lee Ritenour's latest "Over Time", an all star career retrospective on Peak Records, is now in stores. The disc features great guest appearances by Chris Botti, Eric Marienthal, Kenya Hathaway, and Patrice Rushen. Ritenour will tour Europe in the coming months. - by Cheryl Philips

Eric Marienthal's Huge Respect for Jeff Lorber

October 23, 2003 - Saxophonist Eric Marienthal has just released his new "Sweet Talk" album and as usual pianist/producer Jeff Lorber was involved. Marienthal says besides Lorber's obvious musical talents it's his honesty that he appreciates. Marienthal said, "Jeff's a straight shooter. He'll tell you what he thinks is good or bad which is great from a working standpoint because if you come up with something that's craps he'll let you know. So, you always know where you stand with Jeff that's for sure." Marienthal also appreciated the fact that Lorber helped shape the format, "He was one of the guys that started this genre in my opinion." The saxophonist told Smooth Jazz Now that he found out about Lorber while touring with the Chick Corea band, "I was getting ready to do my fourth record and I was talking to John Pattituchi about who to get together with." Lorber's name quickly came up and the two got a long instantly. "He was very cool and very into it. That was my fourth album and now I'm on my tenth so he and I have always worked on at least one tune together. He's not only an incredible musician but he's turned into a great friend also," says Marienthal. Read our interview with Eric Marienthal.

Eric Marienthal To Release "Sweet Talk" September 23rd

September 11, 2003 - Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is all geared up to release his new album later this month. After touring with the Rippingtons and Chick Corea's band Marienthal can finally concentrate on his solo career and he brought in some friends to help out. Long time collaborator, Jeff Lorber, co-wrote three tracks including the first single "Uptown." "Sweet Talk" to be released September 23rd also includes Peak records labelmate Cassadra Reed singing lead on Stevie Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good." The new album produced by Jason Miles in New York was partly recorded at Jay Beckenstein's Beartracks studio. Also helping out are Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Ivan Lins, Dean Brown, Chris Parker, Tom Barney, Gene Lake and Billy Heller. A real treat for the saxophonist was co-writing the title track with his thirteen year old son, Robert, who's a guitarist. Here's a quote from Marienthal from his official website www.ericmarienthal.com . "You spend so much time and energy putting it together; writing, playing, organizing, and trying to make it sound as good as you possibly can. It's kind of like having a new baby and showing to people for the first time and hoping they don't think it's ugly!"

Eric Marienthal - A Wanted Man

July 6, 2003 - It's sometimes said that Saxophonist Eric Marienthal doesn't get the recognition he deserves but judging from his busy schedule it looks like his talent is in heavy demand. Mareinthal is set to tour with both The Rippingtons and Chick Corea's Elektric Band this summer and you can hear him on the new Brian Hughes album "Along the Way" to be released July 8th. If you still need more Mareinthal will release his new Peak records album on September 9th. The album will feature Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee and Ivan Lins.