Erica Von Kleist | Virtuoso Saxophone Artist Endorser

Already a rising star in the jazz world saxophonist, Erica von Kleist has begun to make her mark on the New York jazz scene. At twenty-seven she is one of the most in-demand young musician’s in the city performing and recording with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Potter, Sean Jones, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, DIVA and the Grammy® Award-winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. While performing is Erica’s primary passion, she has proven herself a prolific and gifted composer with commissions from Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Juilliard School and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Her compositions aired on National Public Radio (NPR) and were featured at the Grand Opening festivities of the Time Warner Center/New York in October 2004.

Major news publications such as The New York Times, Travel & Leisure Magazine, All About Jazz and DownBeat have all praised Ms. von Kleists’ talents with jazz critic Ben Ratliff stating, ‘ Superb!’ Erica has been awarded the ASCAP Plus Award for both 2008 and 2009, The International Academy of Achievement and will receive the prestigious Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center in March of 2009.

A native of Connecticut, Erica came to the New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music completing her studies at The Juilliard School earning a Bachelor’s Degree of Jazz through the newly formed Jazz Studies Program, the first in Juilliard’s history.

While Erica has worked with some of the best jazz musician’s in the business, she also understands the importance of education. Erica has conducted workshops for Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New York Pops and has traveled to schools throughout the United States, Japan, and Cuba to conduct clinics. Working with students both privately and in groups, Erica has inspired hundred’s of talented young people to pursue their love of music.

Ms. von Kleist is an acclaimed solo artist and leads her own band. As a leader, Erica released her debut recording Project E in 2006. The release received excellent reviews from The Hartford Courant stating, ‘searing alto sax solo’. Erica and her band Project E performed throughout New York City and Connecticut during 2006 in support of the CD’s release. Continually expanding her artistic reach, Erica recently reconfigured and renamed her band to No Exceptions. Erica von Kleist and No Exceptions has begun making waves on the jazz scene, performing at New York’s Jazz Gallery, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center and various venues throughout the region. The band is currently booking their 2009 tour including Europe and various jazz festivals, and plans to record by the end of the year.