Once upon a time back in the late 60s…… I bought a record called introducing Eric Kloss. I was curious, Who was the teenage young blind saxophone player from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Recording with people like Don Patterson Billy James and Pat Martino. His sound on alto and tenor intrigued me. He was not that much older than me and was a fully developed player not only with style but with soul and commitment.
I watched this young man develop, let's be clear at that stage in the late 60s he was already more developed than most seasoned pros are now. No joke this guy was ready! He was on the bandstand with people like Booker Ervin, Vic Juris, Mike Nock, Terry Silverlight, Groove Homes and very shortly recordings following with Miles Davis is rhythm section of Chick Corea Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.
Upon a quick listening to any of his records, and truthfully I have all of them everything I could find. This guy was a walking fountain of inspiration. Not only did you have a beautiful style on alto fully formed with roots off-the-wall ideas that were routed in the blues but originality. His tenor playing was in the same area. Without a doubt he could easily play with Miles, without a doubt that was part of him that would've fit Miles Davis like a glove. Yet at the same time as style was fresh- This man stood his own 2 feet, and he stood for something.
As the years went on, he stayed close to Pittsburgh.Taught at the local University and kept playing amazing jazz. The recordings that he made with people like Chick Corea or Pat Martino and to this day challenge much of the music being played even though it was recorded 35+ years ago.
The part of the business of music, and especially jazz, has always bothered me when a person like this is ignored. There seems to be in overindulgence of hero worship for somebody who had enough money to pay a support system of a press agent may be a fashion photographer, and more. The cold reality of the changing art form and also a change in culture surrounding the music. Clubs and audiences that supported people like Eric have changed and I can admit that. Those kind of clubs and environments you'd know if you we're not playing! The audience would let you know if you were not.You had to be coming up with something-and most times it was three or four sets not an hour and 20 minutes like today.Too often people flock today towards one musician or a small handful of those people, then they are everywhere-it's almost of overkill for the artist in the long run. Guys who stand the test of time get ignored- or a person who invents themselves on social media become a brief reality- so it goes.
The values of originality a commitment to an art form not just being popular Have by the wayside. I can easily point to A recording he did with Barry Miles it was all duets. I can point you towards every single one of those recordings-go search them out on YouTube. Listen to the soul that he played the saxophone with-also listen to the personal agenda he had his sound and ideas. That's a lesson right there. Again it's a sad thing when artists get ignored or pushed to the back of the room because people just don't know who they are or don't take the time to listen and find out. Years ago that was something that people prided themselves on, I'm talking about the people with in the music that handled things musically. My words might be a bit spicy here, but somebody's got to bring attention to these type of values before it's too late. The musicianship of Eric will inspire people for decades and decade's. At one point he even wrote a few read preparation articles for Rico! Somewhere I'm going to find one and re-print it so everyone can see it too.
Let this current blog be a polite wake up call to investigate this mans playing- and also realize there was a time. That meaning there was a time when jazz festivals had musicians like this and the Village Vanguard had musicians like this. There are so many recordings of his that I could say right off the top of my head make it a point as this blog closes out on Eric that you investigate yourself and spend some time and listen to at least half a dozen to a dozen of these recordings over the course of the next few weeks. And you'll realize the expression and also… Title of one of his tunes called "to hear is to see". You'll hear and see why I instigated this weeks blog. Thank you for your time and I was always the very best to everyone-keep the music real.
- - - Tim Price Blogging For D'Addario Woodwinds- -
Eric started our Woodinville Community Band - concert some years ago with his rendition of the National Anthem. He is so amazing, giving to the community and very interesting. The world of musicians is really small.
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