Eric Nakanishi

Eric Nakanishi is an aspiring artist, saxophonist, and composer who was raised in Pleasant Hill, California. He began playing saxophone at age 9 in his local elementary school music program and quickly became interested in swing. Soon he began studying swing privately under the instruction of saxophonist and educator Marcus Goodlow, who would become the first of many important educators and mentors in Eric’s life. During his high school years, Eric was lucky enough to study with some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians and educators including Mary Fettig, Dann Zinn, Alex Murzyn, and Paul Contos. In addition, he was fortunate enough to participate in many outstanding music programs that supported and nurtured his love for music. These include Northgate High School’s instrumental music program, the SFJAZZ high school programs, and the California Jazz Conservatory (formerly known as the Jazzschool) Studio Bands. These programs undoubtedly inspired Eric to pursue music. This path eventually led Eric to his undergraduate studies at Berklee College of Music. During his time at Berklee, Eric had the opportunity to be mentored by a number of accomplished and renowned artists such as Frank Tiberi, George Garzone, Dave Santoro, Jim Odgren, and Tiger Okoshi to name a few. Eric was particularly blessed and honored to have had the opportunity to be instructed by Ralph Peterson, whose goal is to immerse his students in the music of Art Blakey and pass on the legacy of the Jazz Messengers. Eric was the lead alto player of Ralph’s “GenNext Big Band” and recorded two albums with the group, I Remember Bu: Alive Vol.4 at Scullers and Listen Up!, which featured Jazz Messenger alumni Donald Harrison and Frank Lacy. After leaving Berklee, Eric recorded his debut album, Introducing. Released in April 2020, this album features all original compositions brought to life by an incredible band made up of some of Eric’s colleagues from Berklee. Eric has moved from Boston and now resides in Tucson, AZ.