Eric Kurimsky

www.myspace.com/erickurimski

Eric was born into a musical family. The best known Maurice, his Grandfather, toured the US as a jazz piano player from the 1920s through the 1940s. Eric played various instruments during his childhood including piano, trumpet, and voice until landing at the guitar at age 14. Starting with rock he was playing clubs at 16, but soon after wanted something more and eventually found his way to jazz. Throughout his University years Eric studied many things including Art, Recording, and Composition, but eventually ended up doing Jazz Performance at Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. Among his professors at Purchase were David Fiuczynski, Steve Kahn, Todd Coolman, and Jon Faddis. In 1999-2000 Eric moved to New York City and since has performed with a number of musicians including Avishai Cohen, Ron Levy, Daniel Zamir, Stephane Mercier, Iliana Santamaria, Saleno Clarke, and Carlos Hayre. Eric is currently performing with the New York based Afro-Peruvian Jazz Ensemble, Alcatraz. The ensemble consists of Edward Perez – Bass/Arrangements, Sofia Kuotsovitis – NY’s latest vocal sensation from Argentina, Marcos Napa – ex lead percussionist for the internationally acclaimed group Peru Negro, and Peruvian/ World Music drummer Hector Morales. Eric has traveled independently to research music in countries such as Cuba, Mexico and Peru. He has also been studying and performing Afro-Peruvian/Criollo guitar styles with the esteemed Maestro Carlos Hayre in New York. His studies of Peruvian music have included at least 11 visits to Peru in recent years. His time in Peru has included a number of performances live and on Peruvian television with many of the surviving Criollo Maestros. In addition to performing Eric has recently recorded with Juan Medrano Cotito and Sergio Valdeos (of the Grammy Award winning Susana Baca group) fusing African, Peruvian and Jazz styles