Erik Deutsch Explained

Erik Deutsch
Birth Name:Erik Larson Deutsch
Birth Date:26 October 1976
Birth Place:Washington, D.C.
Occupation:Keyboardist, composer, producer
Instrument:Piano, keyboards, guitar
Years Active:1990s–present
Associated Acts:Leftover Salmon, The Chicks, Charlie Hunter, Shooter Jennings

Erik Deutsch is an American pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator. He leads his own band and was a founding member of Fat Mama. Deutsch is also known for his work with Charlie Hunter, Leftover Salmon, Dixie Chicks, Shooter Jennings, Citizen Cope and The Black Crowes.

Early life

Deutsch was born in Washington D.C. in 1976. Influenced at an early age by his grandfather (a professional musician), his father (a barroom pianist), and his opera-singing nanny. Deutsch began taking Suzuki piano lessons at Vanderbilt University. After his family relocated to Nashville he studied piano with Tom Koester. In 1985 Deutsch won a school song writing contest that led to his first gig at the Country Music Hall of Fame. While attending High School in Potomac, MD, Deutsch frequented the jazz clubs of Washington D.C. Upon arriving at the University of Colorado Boulder in the fall 1995 he began lessons with pianists Art Lande and joined Fat Mama,[1] a modern jazz/rock/fusion ensemble.

Career

2000s

After completing his degree from CU in piano performance, Deutsch stayed in Boulder developing a busy career as a performer and teacher. County Road X, a cinematic Americana ensemble, released two records during this period, County Road X (2002) and From Seed to Stone (2004). Triangle, a piano trio led by Deutsch's musical mentor Art Lande (on drums), released Three Sides to a Question in 2004. He taught and accompanied students frequently and was an adjunct faculty member at the Naropa University.

In the summer of 2005 Deutsch moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he worked at the Queens College, City University of New York Saturday jazz program and in The Bronx public school as a dance accompanist.

In 2007 he joined the Charlie Hunter Trio. His tenure with Hunter lasted 3 years, involving extensive touring all over Europe, Asia, and Africa. They recorded Mistico[2] with drummer Simon Lott and Baboon Strength[3] with drummer Tony Mason.

Deutsch released his first two records as a leader towards the end of the decade. 2007's Fingerprint[4] features fellow Coloradans Ron Miles, Jenny Scheinman, Todd Sickafoose, Allison Miller, Janet Feder and Ross Martin. In a review of 2009's Hush Money[5] The Boston Globe[6] makes mention of the "unmistakable traces of the Alpine air and sweeping CinemaScope views" within Deutsch's music. These efforts also earn him his first feature in Downbeat Magazine.[7]

2010s

In 2011 Deutsch collaborated with long-time associate Shooter Jennings[8] for two records, Family Man and The Other Life. Inevitably other similar collaborations ensued including work with Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Norah Jones, Bob DiPiero and Jim Campilongo.

2012 marked the release of Deutsch’s third release as a leader, Demonio Teclado[9] revealing a new psychedelic soul jazz sound.

In 2014, Deutsch released Outlaw Jazz a critically acclaimed[10] record fusing his brand of jazz with elements of country.[11]

In 2016, Deutsch joined Colorado based jam band Leftover Salmon. His four-year stint as a full-time member[12] included over 400 shows and the release of three records.

Deutsch released his first solo piano album Creatures[13] in 2016. Downbeat Magazine[14] critic Allan Drouot wrote, "Deutsch's pieces are imbued with the same mournfulness and simplicity that inhabits Satie's piano music."

In 2018 Deutsch released another large group project entitled Falling Flowers[15] .

2020s and Mexico

Since 2015, Deutsch has hosted a weekly bi-lingual radio show called the Sounds of Brooklyn and Beyond with co-host Sara Valenzuela. The program airs on Jalisco Radio in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Ciudad Guzman and is available as a podcast on iTunes and Spotify.

In 2019 Deutsch relocated to Colonia Roma Norte in Mexico City.[16]

In 2020, Deutsch joined The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) as the full-time touring keyboardist. Deutsch released Live at LunÁtico[17] and an improvised solo 7” LP on Piquinique Recordings entitled Chrysanthemum as well as a new project with banjoist Andy Thorn entitled Tangled Sea.[18]

In August 2022, he replaced Joel Robinow in The Black Crowes.

Awards and honors

Deutsch has been nominated consecutively in Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll Rising Star organ[19] category since 2012.

Discography

As leader

As co-leader

As sideman and co-producer

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mayo . James . Mama Knows Best . Westword.
  2. News: Chinen . Nate . Critic's Choice . The New York Times . July 30, 2007.
  3. Web site: Collette . Doug . Album Review . All About Jazz . All About Jazz . 13 October 2008.
  4. News: Chinen . Nate . Jazz Listings . The New York Times . October 30, 2008.
  5. Odell . Jennifer . CD Reviews . Downbeat Magazine . May 2012 . 75 . 5 . 50 .
  6. News: Gilbert . Andrew . When Musical Cultures Collide . November 29, 2009 . The Boston Globe.
  7. Murph . John . Visual Funk . Downbeat Magazine . February 2010 . 17 . 2 . 25 .
  8. Hudak . Joseph . Hear Shooter Jennings Channel Pink Floyd in Waylon Cover . Rolling Stone . December 29, 2014 .
  9. Web site: Wetzel . Florence . Album Review . All About Jazz . All About Jazz . 22 February 2012.
  10. News: Mansfield . Brian . Listen to These Albums Before February Ends . USA Today . February 28, 2015.
  11. Web site: Reyes-Kulkarni . Sabe . Nashville expat Erik Deutsch takes jazz into Outlaw Country . Nashville Scene . March 12, 2015.
  12. Web site: Kirby . Dave . Erik Deutsch Splits the Difference . Boulder Weekly . Boulder Weekly . November 1, 2018.
  13. Web site: Zimmerman . Lee . Erik Deutsch: Creatures . Relix Magazine . Relix Magazine . March 7, 2017.
  14. Alain . Drouot . Reviews . Downbeat Magazine . March 2017 . 84 . 3 . 67 .
  15. Shanley . Mike . Erik Deutsch: Falling Flowers (LoHi) . Jazz Times . April 29, 2019 .
  16. Web site: Cincotta . Rafaela Kenny . Erik Deutsch: Greetings from Mexico City . Jambands.com . July 28, 2020.
  17. Web site: Newby . Tim . Erik Deutsch: Live at Lunatico . Slide and Banjo . July 7, 2020.
  18. News: Kirby . Dave . A Little Downtime . Boulder Weekly . December 3, 2020.
  19. Critic's Poll/Rising Star . Downbeat Magazine . August 2020 . 87 . 8 . 38 .

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