The Pace Report: "Brownsville's God Son" The Eric Wyatt Interview
Welcome to this special edition of @ThePaceReport live at the 10th annual 2023 Jersey City Jazz Festival presented by @RiverviewJazz

Spike Wilner, owner of Smalls Jazz Club and Mezzrow, was asked by Artistic Director, Bryan Beninghove of Riverview Jazz the host of the Jersey City Jazz Festival, curate and produce one the three stages. Fords Gin Row was one of this year's sponsors of the stages curated by Small Live.

Saxophonist Eric Wyatt was one of this year's headlining performers at this year's 2023 Jersey City Jazz Festival. His presence on the New York City Jazz scene has been intense as he hosts his weekly set at Smalls as well as jam sessions on Saturday nights. Eric has his eyes and ears on the next generation of jazz musicians. Over the last 20 years, Eric has mentored and helped musicians such as Damion Reid, E.J. Strickland, Kassa Overall, Robert Glasper, and Theo Croker.

As a leader, his latest album, "A Song of Hope", has been on the top of jazz records charts as well as been getting a lot of play on jazz radio all over the world. The album features Grammy-award winning vocalist Samara Joy, trumpeter Theo Croker, and drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts.

The Brownsville, Brooklyn native was raised by his father, Charles Jolly Wyatt, a well-known jazz saxophonist. Charles's best friend was NEA Jazz Master and jazz legend, Sonny Rollins. Rollins gave Charles his saxophone which Eric continues to play to this day. Eric is Sonny's Godson and continues to mentor and educate him. As a kid he was exposed to the music and luminaries such as Miles Davis to Jim Hall. While attending Leman College, Eric studied and was mentored by the legendary Stanley Cowell.

In a career spanning 4 decades, Eric has recorded and toured with the likes oaf Wallace Roney, Bob Crenshaw, Al Foster, Rufus Reid, Kenny Garrett, Warren Wolf, Roy Hargrove, Dewey Redman, and Clifton Anderson.

I sat down with Eric to discuss his latest recording, reflect on his relationship with Sonny Rollins, his mentor Stanley Cowell, and his residency at Smalls in New York City.

For more info on Eric's upcoming tour dates or to order his music please visit him online at www.EricWyatt-Music.com.

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