Eric Stern
About Me
Eric Stern is a 23-year old jazz pianist, composer, educator, and arranger who makes “keyboarding more like surfboarding, wave after wave at breakneck speed. Every solo is a show unto itself" (BroadwayWorld). Whether playing with acclaimed young vocalists, as a bandleader of his Quintet or Trio, or in other various projects around New York City, Eric is quickly establishing himself as an upcoming star in the NYC jazz scene.
In 2023, Eric played on two records, Kate Kortum’s debut record Good Woman, and on a live record from the Frost Jazz Orchestra, Live at Gusman Concert Hall. He has played with other young rising talent such as Tyreek McDole, Abdias Armenteros, Joie Bianco, David Sneider, Kellin Hanas, June Cavlan, and many others all over NYC.
Eric grew up in Brooklyn, New York, studying at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music with various classical and jazz teachers. His passion for jazz began in middle school, and in high school, he got involved in a slew of New York City arts programs, including the Belongó Fat Cats Big Band directed by noteworthy drummer Zack O’Farrill.
In 2019, Eric moved to Miami, Florida to study at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. While at the Frost School of Music, Stern had the opportunity to study privately with Shelly Berg, Martin Bejerano, Alex Brown, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, as well as working with GRAMMY-winners Dafnis Prieto, Regina Carter, Terrell Stafford, Dick Oatts, and John Daversa. Eric moved back to NYC last year and is currently studying for his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Ted Rosenthal, Phil Markowitz, Jon Faddis, Nicole Glover, John Benitez, Buster Williams, and others.
Stern has won numerous awards throughout his career, including being a National YoungArts Honorable Mention in 2020, the winner of the Bösendorfer prize at the American Jazz Pianist Competition, and an attendee of the 2022 JAS Summer Jazz Academy, working with Christian McBride.
Currently, Eric leads multiple bands, his Quintet, and his Trio. Each has performed extensively throughout NYC, in places such as Chelsea Table + Stage, ShapeShifter Lab, SoapBox Gallery, and at Fiction Bar. His Trio also toured Florida earlier this year, stopping in St. Petersburg, Miami, and Orlando.