PRESS KIT
Fridrich and the Free- is a musical crossroads that brings song writing, free expression, and stylistic diversity to a stage performance that is intelligent, uplifting and profound. “We all paint together” Eric says when referring to a variety of guests and the core players: Leif Totusek (electric guitar) toured the world with his Bebop Jazz and African Soukous, Ricardo Guity (drums, percussion) who brings his mastery of afro Cuban as a rumbero, Steve Kim (bass, keys) offering the vast sensibilities of urban jazz and fusion. All of these elements with their masters join in with Eric Fridrich’s breathy virtuosic harmonica, percussive intricate acoustic guitar, unique soulful voice, and song-writing. The sound has been referred to as tropical soul, Afro Cuban rock, Latin blues, and what you will hear is a celebration of a world coming together.
From the train tunnels of Chicago to the orchestra hall of Seattle, Eric Fridrich has shared his music with audiences of all kinds. Foremost a songwriter, Eric draws his sound from his imagination and emotions, adapting all of his worldly influences. His sound spans multiple genres, including Latin, jazz, blues, African, orchestra, flamenco, dance, and even flirting with rock and pop. These variations of styles, influences and improvisation allow Eric to pulse across genres and sounds freely while still tying them neatly together into his music. Known as a multi instrumentalist, he’s normally seen fretting his guitar with a unique cross-style technique, incorporating his powerful and dynamic voice and breathy saxophone-like harmonica melodies. Eric always plays with the urgency of the now, sometimes even writing entire songs on the spot, “a song is like a canvas that you can paint 'anew every time you perform it" he says. Eric is currently involved in theatre performances all around the country, released a solo album, Solitudes, in August 2009, and is looking forward to working with renowned producer Jim Brock (Joan Baez, Victor Wooten) for a release in 2012. CONTACT
Career Highlights:
- Featured harmonica player for 'Big River' the Issaquah Village Theater production 2012
- Accompanied Lee Oskar (War) during a United by music performance 2012
- Performed Guitar for Soukous Master Wawali Bonane (Rochereau, Yoka Enzenza) 2012
- Grammy award/rock n roll hall of Famer Garth Hudson from 'The Band' guested with Fridrich 2011
- Performed with Steve Kindler (Mahavishnu Orchestra) 2011
- Featured artist at Benaroya Hall 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- #1 on blues charts on Reverbnation for 6 weeks straight
- Played with Garth Hudson at Sundance Film Festival January 2010
- Channel 5 Exclusive Interview - 2007
- Seattle Weekly “Best New Artist of the Year – 2006” (Nominated)
- Live Radio Performances & Interviews: KBCS, KING, KPND, KZOK, KLAY and many others
- #1 on the world charts twice on numberone music 2008
- Played with and interviewed Wayne Henderson (Doc Watson/ luthier for Eric Clapton)
- Sat in with Grammy winner Louis Ortega
- Was featured electric guitar solo and vocalist with Jazz legend Overton Berry 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
- played with Tony Coleman (BB King) 2009
- Performed with award winning Jazz/Classical guitarist Leon Atkinson 2009
- performed with award winning Flamenco artist Andre Feriante 2008-2011
- African Soukous Guitar master Huit Kilo (Wawali Bonane, Janet Jackson) guested with Fridrich 2009
- Played guitar for West African Drum Master Thione Diop (Senegal) 2012
- Created "Life is Music" workshop 2009
- Founded Savor the Sound (youth music non profit) 2010
- Founded "Musical Immersions" music program 2012
Musical Affiliations:
- Fridrich and the Free - Leif Totusek, Ricardo Guity, Steve Kim, Eric Fridrich
- Eric Fridrich Trio – Eric Fridrich, Steve Kim & Johnny Conga
- Timebomb Taxi – Eric Fridrich, Nate Lerohl, Chris & Matt Radostitz, Chris Denman
- Troupe DeVille – Andre Feriante, Eric Fridrich & Steve Thoreson
- Session Work (Guitar, Harmonica, vocals) – Vertigo Studios, khaos studios, Elliot Bay Recording, Gear Studios
- Savor the Sound … a youth music education non-profit based in Seattle
- ASCAP
- United By Music Netherlands/North America
- Shoreline community college music engineering program
- Issaquah Village Theater
- Centrum
- Seattle Film School
- Lucid Jazz
- Farko Collective
- Phame Academy