My heavenly Father, Jesus Christ! From a musical standpoint, the influences are many, but I tend to gravitate towards artists who inspire me to be a better musician. Some of those artists include; Eric Marienthal, Kirk Whalum, Stanley Turrentine, Maceo Parker, Kenny Garrett, Cannonball Adderely, Donald Fagan, Sting, Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Jeff Kashiwa, The Violet Burning, The Police, The Cure, Chris Botti, Grover Washington Jr., Steve Cole, Lee Ritenour, Jimmie Highsmith, Phil Woods, Miles Davis, Nelson Rangell, Larry Carlton, Michael McDonald, Cyndi Lauper, Beethoven, Handel, Vivaldi, Sade. If I'm 'doin' things right, and growing as a musician, my list of influences should be an ever evolving process!
At this stage of the game, I'm not sure if I sound like anyone specifically, the process of refining one's "sound" should be a continuous journey, and I've just started that journey!
With his first solo release, A Sense of Hope, Rochester saxophonist Erik Nielsen has melded musical genres drawn from his love of soul, gospel, blues, R&B, and jazz into a kaleidoscope of smooth rhythms, lush phrases, and thought-provoking melodies.
Erik’s love of music started at the tender early age of three, when he and his five-year old sister recorded the vocals to ”Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep” onto a mono cassette tape recorder. While their rendition never made it beyond the family dinner table, the experience wet Erik’s musical appetite.
By the time he was 10, Erik had begun playing the sax in the elementary school band when an aunt supplied him with a saxophone that had been sitting around gathering dust. It was at this time that Erik began to understand that there was more to music than just playing notes.
“To be honest, I never enjoyed playing the sax, or music for that matter, until I was a junior in high school, when my friends and myself would go in early, and jam before concert band rehearsals,” says Erik. “I knew I enjoyed playing music, but never made the connection between playing the sax and creating music with my sax.”
It was after hearing David Sanborn’s “Summer” in college jazz ensemble that Erik says, “I realized how powerful and influential the sax could be in contemporary music.”
One of the significant things I learned throughout my years of development was the importance of phrasing, no matter the genre of music. Without phrasing and emotion, it just becomes notes on paper. Music is about feeling and expression of emotion, and I try to convey that emotion in my playing.”
“It is my desire that this record touches the lives of those who listen to it, and through the music, lives are transformed forever.”
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
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