Eric Essix: The Soulful Guitar Voice of Contemporary Jazz
Eric Essix is an American guitarist and composer whose smooth, melodic style has made him a staple of the contemporary jazz scene for over three decades. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, his career is defined by a prolific and consistent output, having released more than twenty albums as a leader since his 1988 debut.
Early career
Born in 1962, Eric Essix discovered the guitar in his early teens, drawing initial inspiration from rock and R&B before the jazz fusion of the 1970s captured his imagination. He honed his craft at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating in 1984. His professional recording journey began with the 1988 album First Impressions on the Nova Records label, immediately establishing his clean, soulful guitar tone and knack for memorable melody.
Breakthrough
Essix's national profile rose significantly in the mid-1990s following a deal with Zebra Records, a prominent label in the smooth jazz format. His 1995 album Small Talk became a commercial and radio breakthrough, with its title track receiving heavy airplay and climbing the contemporary jazz charts. This success solidified his place in the genre and led to consistent chart appearances for subsequent singles and albums throughout the late 1990s and 2000s.
Key tracks
Small Talk — This smooth, infectious single from 1995 served as his major radio hit and remains his signature song.
For Real — A funky, upbeat track that showcased his R&B roots and became a fan favorite in his live sets.
Birmingham — A poignant, gospel-tinged instrumental from his 2008 album of the same name, reflecting a deep, personal connection to his hometown.
Southbound — This driving, blues-inflected song exemplifies his ability to blend Southern musical influences with contemporary jazz rhythms.
In the 2000s, Eric Essix founded his own label, Essential Recordings, gaining full creative control. His work took on a more thematic and personal direction, notably with albums like Birmingham (2008) and Evolution (2011), which explored his Southern heritage and musical roots. He has collaborated with notable artists across genres, including vocalist Brian McKnight and fellow guitarists like Norman Brown, further expanding his sonic palette within the contemporary jazz framework.
Fans of Eric Essix's melodic guitar work may also enjoy the sounds of Norman Brown, who shares a similar blend of jazz phrasing and soulful warmth. The smooth, accessible compositions of Kirk Whalum offer a saxophone parallel to Essix's guitar-centric approach. For listeners drawn to the R&B undercurrent, the work of Jonathan Butler provides a comparable fusion of genres. The instrumental storytelling of Earl Klugh also resonates with Essix's lyrical and melodic focus.
The music of Eric Essix maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on dedicated contemporary jazz and smooth jazz FM stations, as well as on various online jazz radio streams. His catalog, from early hits to recent thematic albums, provides a reliable source of sophisticated, melodic instrumentation for programmers and listeners alike.
You can hear the soulful guitar artistry of Eric Essix featured regularly on the contemporary jazz stations available through our network. Explore the radio stations on onairium.com to discover his music and other artists defining the sound of modern instrumental jazz.
