“Some pianists forget: the technique is less important than its use. Silence has musical value, as does echo – blend it properly, and its impact can top the busiest of runs. John Erickson knows.” —John Barrett, Jr. JAZZ IMPROV Magazine.
Recognized for his lyrical, understated style, Chicago-based jazz pianist John Erickson has an equal love of the rich harmony and feel of jazz as the concise, well-crafted pop song. Inspired by the music of artists such as Pat Metheny, Mark Isham, Paul Simon, Neil Finn and Steely Dan, Erickson believes that ultimately melody is king. ” I want to give the listener a melody to hum, something to hold onto, ” says Erickson, ”and offer a balance between things warm and familiar and things new and surprising.”
John Erickson’s latest CD, “A Feeling of Christmas“, is a collection of Christmas carols and hymns. Part solo piano, part jazz trio, the album features local favorites Patrick Williams on bass and Tim Mulvenna on drums. ”A Feeling of Christmas” is also given a slight Celtic flavor on two tracks with Chicago bodhran player Mike Austin. Familiar songs like “Carol of the Bells,” “Gabriel’s Message” and “Silent Night” all carry the distinctive signature of Erickson who creates a whole new universe with his lush re- harmonization, extended melodies and subtle force. He turns traditionals into originals and lifts them beyond the holiday season.
“A Feeling of Christmas” is John’s third solo release. ”Contemplation“, his debut, is an album of solo piano tracks and duets with bassist Steve Rodby of the Pat Metheny Group, all original compositions. The San Diego Reader wrote of Contemplation –”A sort of piano feng shui in which glassy, amorphous tone poems probe shadowy themes with astute harmony, counterpoint, and balance” and Jim Aiken of Keyboard Magazine said, –”Comparisons to Keith Jarrett’s more mellow moments would not be out of place. This one is going straight into my short stack of late-night relaxation CDs.”
His second album, “And So On” is a mix of originals and covers of Miles Davis, Thad Jones and Steely Dan. It received airplay on over 300 NPR, college and satellite radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Yellowjackets keyboardist Russell Ferrante praised, “John gets a beautiful sound from the instrument and the compositions fit hand in glove with his lyrical playing style.” Tony Gasparre, editor of Jazz Week National NPR Radio Chart declared, “One of my favorite CDs.”
Raised in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, John’s professional music career began in San Diego while finishing a degree in jazz performance. He relocated to Chicago in 1997. In addition to writing and arranging for his next recording, John currently tours nationally as a keyboardist for acclaimed smooth jazz and soul guitarist/vocalist Nick Colionne. He also teaches piano privately to both children and adults and has been the pianist for LakeView Presbyterian Church since 1998.