Percussionist Eric Frazier to Release New Project “That Place, Featuring Return of The Panther Woman” on March 29th, 2024
BROOKLYN BASED PERCUSSIONIST, VOCALIST, POET, EDUCATOR ERIC FRAZIER RELEASES NEW CD That Place Featuring “Return of The Panther Woman”
Brooklyn-based percussionist, drummer, vocalist, composer and bandleader Eric Frazier’s new recording That Place, Featuring Return of The Panther Woman, is an impressive and infectious collection that moves and grooves in multiple musical genres.
Frazier’s mastery of the conga, the trap drum, the djembe, and a multitude of percussion instruments, give him a wide percussive palette that encapsulates the wide dimensions of the African musical diaspora, from Afro-Caribbean beats to jazz.
Frazier’s wide world of rhythms span those grooves of his new album, That Place, Featuring Return of The Panther Woman.
Backed by an energetic ensemble that includes bassist and former Art Blakey Jazz Messenger Lonnie Plaxico and pianist Benito Gonzales, the CD’s 12 tracks range from the bluesy, straight-ahead swing of “The Panther Woman” and “In The Same Place,” and the Asian-aired “Fu Man Shu” to the Freddie Hubbard, “Little Sunflower” flow of Frazier’s “It Gets Back To You,” and the instrumental, salsa-syncopated jams, “Mi Corazon,” and “Mucho Caliente.” The leader’s distinct vocals provide the final sonic seasoning for his musical melting pot.
Born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn in a family of 8 children, Frazier ran track and road races for 27 years. He earned a B.A. degree in Africana Studies in three years at Southern Illinois University, and two Masters Degrees and a Doctoral ABD in Education Administration and Policy from Columbia University Teachers College. Frazier worked for three decades as a principal and school administrator in the public’s school system. He also has written journal articles on education, is an accomplished poet and was the co-host of WLIU Jazz radio 88.1 FM in Brooklyn.
Frazier was turned to dance by his brother, Gary Ellis Frazier, a former member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, which led him to discover African dance, tap and percussion. He took djembe lessons from Ibrahim, the master teacher from The Dance Company of Senegal, and taught himself how to play various forms of percussion.
Frazier has recorded or performed with many artists including Pharoah Sanders, Jack McDuff, Reggie Workman, Robin Kenyatta, Carlos Garnett, Stanley Banks, Danny Mixon, Dr Lonnie Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and Rueben Wilson. Frazier’s previous CD’s include:
Live at Cecil’s Jazz Club, Vols. 1 and 2;, Live at Humphrey’s by The Bay; Count Your Blessings; Live at The Knitting Factory in NYC; In Your Own Time; Find Yourself (Then Find Me) and Smile Inside Your Soul.
Frazier’s new recording and his illustrious career revealed him to be a renaissance man in rhythm with art and life.
CD release parties scheduled for Friday, March 29th at Soul BK, 706 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn NY tickets and info https://soulbk.com, and Saturday, April 27th 7 pm at Harlem’s historic Minton’s Jazz club 206 West 118th Street, Harlem, NY 10026 tickets and info https://www.mintonsnyc.com.
There will also be CD release events in Chicago and Los Angeles dates to be announced.
