January 28, 2007 – 8:59 am
Best of Western New York
by Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com
If the phrase “hometown boy makes good†ever applied to anyone, it would have to be Eric Starr. After playing the local scene for years with The Tails and other bands, Starr left the area in the late 90’s to head to New York City with a mission to be among the brightest and most talented players around. He formed a six piece jazz ensemble, recorded a critically acclaimed CD titled She and sold out their debut performance at Lincoln Center. Quite possibly the phrase “hometown boy makes good†is an understatement. read more »
Eric’s tune Salta was chosen as a feature download on All About Jazz.com Click here to listen to listen along with the thousands who are making our hit counters here go berserk! Help ESG climb to the top of the Top 25!
February 11, 2005 – 10:46 pm
Bruce Eaton did a wonderful piece on Eric and his group in Buffalo Spree magazine December issue, 2004.
Here it is in pdf form Buffalo Spree December
December 17, 2004 – 2:56 am
No matter how much one loves Buffalo, sometimes one must leave it behind to achieve lofty dreams. Such is the case with Eric Starr. One of the most diverse drummers in Western New York, he turned heads with many jazz outfits and with original rock group the Tails before emigrating four years ago to the musically greener pastures of New York City. Back for a homecoming show at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Tralf, 622 Main St., he’s anxious to show off the amazing quintet of souvenirs he’s picked up in the big city. read more »
On so many jazz CDs the creative process is limited to performance. “She” is an exception. This inspired debut recording by drummer/composer Eric Starr displays creativity in all areas: compositions, lyrics, arrangements, production, engineering, and musicianship.
The six tracks, recorded in New York and London by musicians from varied backgrounds, illustrate the versatility of Starr’s charts. What they have in common is inventiveness and excitement. The group is anchored by Eric’s masterful drumming and features vocals by brother Nelson. He’s a sensitive singer with a sound all his own . London-based saxophonist Iain Ballamy, a modern jazz veteran, is showcased throughout. read more »
