Eric Darius

Current Tour Dates

Darius took the contemporary jazz world by storm with his 2004 Narada Jazz debut, NIGHT ON THE TOWN. The critics raved! Fans clamored! Darius’ awesome talent and unjaded enthusiasm for his music and where it was taking him made him an instant favorite everywhere he went.

JUST GETTING STARTED pairs Darius with one of his long-time musical inspirations, Brian Culbertson, with the composer/arranger/keyboardist/trombonist taking the producing reins as well as guest performing on several tracks. Narada Jazz labelmate, Euge Groove, lends his talents on his own composition, “Back At Cha”. Paul Brown, one of the most sought after producers in smooth jazz, adds his producing and guitar skills to tracks like “Right Here, Right Now” and Alicia Keys’ “If I Aint’ Got You”.

The stylish Fender Rhodes on ”Steppin’ Up” and “Groove On” comes courtesy of the Grammy(s)-nominated multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Lorber. Adding the talents of multi-intrumentalist and producer Darren Rahn, JUST GETTING STARTED is a bold statement by a jazz star well on his way to the top. “I have to admit, but this was by far the most incredible recording experience I’ve ever had. Working with Brian Culbertson, Paul Brown, Euge Groove, and Darren Rahn, was a dream come true for me. Each producer brought his own unique flavor to my music and the music we created speaks for itself.”

“Speaking of the new CD, I feel that this new CD is definitely a notch above my last album in many aspects. Throughout the past year, I have progressed as a songwriter and a player, and in my opinion, this project clearly reflects that.

In addition to this, I was able to bring that same level of energy and intensity that I play with on stage in the studio. This CD was very fun and exciting to make. Before I even started recording, my goal was to try to do something a little different this time around. In my opinion, the beauty of this CD is that every song has a different feel and evokes a different mood. 

From playing at local clubs and hotspots in his native Tampa to wowing the crowds at the JazzTrax Catalina Island Jazz Festival, life for this 23-year college student has changed dramatically in just a few years. Yet, Darius’ approach to his music remains as sincere as the day he first discovered jazz as a child. “I’d been playing the saxophone for about one year, before I joined America’s Youngest Jazz Band, which was led by renown trumpeter, Sonny LaRosa.

Born into a musical family (his father plays bass, his mother and sister sing, and his older brother plays the drums and trumpet), Darius studied at Blake High School of the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida, where he was a member of the Blake Jazz Ensemble and many other bands the school offered.

In 2001, Darius released CRUISIN’ independently at the age of 17. “I started writing music for this CD since I was 13. One of the major things that inspired me to make this album was the thought of “cruisin” in my own car!” Darius goes on to mention that, since then, composing is his most personal expression. “I love to write my own music because that is something that comes from deeply within, and I want my listeners to really be able to feel what I felt when I wrote it. I love playing my instrument because it allows me to communicate with others on a personal level, and I intend on doing this for the rest of my life.”

“The thing that excites me the most about my music and my career is that I am just getting started. I am very anxious to see where my music takes me throughout the next several years. I think that this CD is the beginning is something great!”

From touring the country, to being named the Smooth Jazz Debut Artist of the Year, to making a global impact, hold on to your seats ladies and gentlemen because Eric Darius is JUST GETTING STARTED!!!

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