On these recordings I play all the instruments except for-
Brendan Byrnes-Drums on Scamper and Chris Rivelli-drums on Vision
Influences
I have been influenced by so many musicians and bands - a partial list includes- (in no particular order)
Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Charles Mingus, Bela Fleck, Frank Zappa, Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Robben Ford, Mike Stern, John Scofield, A.C. Jobim, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Michel Camilo, Jimmy Smith, Doctor John, Django Reinhardt, Bireli Lagrene, John Jorgenson, Pat Martino, Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Clifford Brown, McCoy Tyner, Joe Pass, Martin Taylor, Grant Green, George Benson, Duke Ellington, J.S. Bach, Frederic Chopin, John Williams (the guitarist) Steve Morse, Larry Carlton, Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Danny Gatton, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Brent Mason, Jerry Donahue, Mark O'Connor, David Grisman, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, The Chieftains, Ritchie Blackmore, Bob Marley, Steve Vai, Little Feat, Allman Bros., Stevie Ray Vaughn, Reverend Gary Davis, Taj mahal, Freddie King, Earth Wind and Fire, James Brown, Sly, The Meters, Ray Charles, Louis Jordan, lots and lots of 60s and 70s R+B and funk. Many of my teachers at Berklee were also very infuential to me. Many of the people I have played with have influenced me too, as well as many of my students! Shall I go on?
Sounds Like
Take all of the above and put in a blender ( a really big one), sprinkle a bunch of me on top and mix thoroughly. But seriously, hopefully I sound like me!
Hi, I'm Erik Ringstad. I was born in New York City and have been a musician since age four, starting with classical piano training before switching over to the guitar at age 15. Originally self taught on guitar, I eventually moved to Boston and attended the Berklee college of music for 5 years in a dual major program (Jazz composition and Guitar Performance with a minor in music synthesis), graduating with honors in 1990. While studying at Berklee, I was involved in many shows, and I was awarded the Performance Division Award for outstanding musicianship.
Since graduation, I have been a very active performer, composer and instructor in the Boston area. Equally comfortable on electric and acoustic instruments, I have been an instrumental soloist as well as a member of a huge array of ensembles.
My most noteable original music group was Acousticity (see website), an acoustic guitar duo I formed with Thomas Young while we were both studying at Berklee. Featuring primarily my own compositions, we explored a wide range of musical styles ,while trying to push the limits of our musicianship together. We released two albums, Sky City in 1991, and Music for 20 fingers in 1997. We also won quite a few honors in our time together, including being named one of Musician magazine's Best unsigned bands in 1992, being finalists in the Pizza Hut New Music Search in 1990, finalists in the Acoustic Underground competition in 1993, being invited to perform at Symphony Hall's 100th Birthday celebration in Boston, numerous TV appearances, playing live on radio often, and appearances in Acoustic Guitar and Musician magazines. We also performed at numerous festivals and appeared on a couple of compilation CDs.
All that time and since, I have been active with other bands as well, ranging from assorted duets to big bands and everything in between, as well as doing solo gigs. I have also been writing and recording my original music for 25 years now, and have written approximately 800-1000 titles reflecting this wide range of musical activity. These pieces go from solo guitar to big band jazz to rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, jazz, classical and various ethnic styles. In short, no style of music is safe from me!
In 2006, I completed a new recording entitled Reflections, a solo project consisting of original ballads and jazz. Originally a solo guitar project, one night I decided to experiment with augmenting the tracks with lead guitar, bass and synthesizer flourishes. I was pleased enough with the result to expand it to a whole collection of pieces, and it is finally available as of September 2007. There is also a songbook available for this music.
I continue to perform and teach in the Boston area, doing many gigs, playing on other artists recordings, transcribing, continuing to write and record my own music, and as always, practicing as much as possible. Thanks for visiting!
Thank you for adding my new author page. I have a couple songs from the soundtrack on the player, but I link my music page for more songs. My fiction novel with a CD soundtrack is due out in a few weeks, (available to order by January 3rd). It will be at CD Baby, Amazon, Barnes & Noble , and links at my web pages, etc. Keep in touch.
Wishing you a great musical week, a happy holiday season, and a prosperous new year. Hope all your projects are on track.
Thank you for adding my new author page. I will have a few songs from the soundtrack on the player soon, but will link my music page for more songs. My fiction novel with a CD soundtrack is due out in a few weeks. It will be at CD Baby, Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc. Keep in touch.
Wishing you a great musical weekend. Hope all your projects are on track.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Sabato 21 giù la maschera...fuori con la vostra vera identità ...Elvis?Homer Simpson?James Brown?Arlecchino?Jake & Elwood?Bombolo?...Il FunkyBus c'è! Un abbraccio e.... buon carnevale!
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