Bassist
Guitarist
Composer
I'm Eric Klerks, a guitarist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles.
(My Performance Reel)
“Man, Eric plays real good!”
I'm deeply rooted in a variety of genres including jazz, rock, blues, and avant-garde music, and I've honed my craft through 20+ years of performing and composing, amplified with my formal training in music theory, performance, and composition.
My musical journey has taken me across the United States, Europe, the UK, Australia, and the Middle East. I've had the privilege of touring the world with Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band and Frank Zappa’s Grandmothers of Invention.
“Eric proved to be a worthy role model in approaching what he refers to as “the high desert avant-garde,” an exuberant and skillful performer who finds joy in whatever he’s playing.”
Under the guidance of my mentor, the legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden, I was able to travel globally, collaborating with musical giants such as Ringo Starr, Pat Metheny, and Keith Jarrett.
My own journey has also connected me with diverse talents like David J (Bauhaus), Mike Garson (Bowie), Bear McCreary, The Dust Brothers, Hamed Nikpay, and Googoosh, further broadening my musical palette.
I also served a three-year tenure as Composer In Residence at the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University.
“A multi-instrumentalist with tremendous musicality and flexibility, Eric is a special musician and is proof that nice guys (with ridiculous amounts of talent) can finish first.”
Throughout my career, I've collaborated with many international artists and spearheaded my own projects, including La Sirene, Meditations, and Android Trio.
Beyond live performances and albums, my music is featured in film, television, and AAA video games.
As a passionate teacher, I am dedicated to guiding the next generation of musicians, enriched by the wisdom of my mentors Ali Akbar Khan, Larry Koonse, and Brian Seeger, and my education from Loyola University, New Orleans (BM) and the California Institute of the Arts (MFA).