ABOUT

Versatile bassist, composer, and educator Eric Hitt is an in-demand performing and recording artist known for his musicality and unifying groove.

After relocating to Kansas City in 2022, Eric began performing frequently at the main jazz venues including The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum, The Majestic, Green Lady, Black Dolphin, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Prior to that, Eric performed with a variety of musicians in Texas such as Ed Soph, Brad Leali, Tatiana Mayfield, Dave Meder, and Quincy Davis. Eric also performed on electric bass multiple times with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for programs including “Queens of Soul” featuring Shayna Steele and live-to-picture screenings of Toy Story.

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As a recording artist, Eric has contributed to releases on labels including MAMA Records and Outside in Music with artists and groups such as John Wasson’s Strata Big Band, Nick Finzer, The One O’Clock Lab Band, Masa Ishikawa, and Christine Hitt. Eric has also recorded a PBS-TV Christmas Special with Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and recorded bass lines on the play-along One Hour Ride Cymbal Workout for UNT Jazz Drum Professor Quincy Davis.

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He earned his BM in Double Bass Performance from the University of Nebraska­–Lincoln and MM in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas, where he is currently a Doctoral Candidate, was selected for an Outstanding Performance Award for Graduate College Jazz Soloist in the 44th annual DownBeat Student Music Awards, and was a member of the One O’Clock Lab Band. Eric was also recognized with Honorable Mention as one of ten semifinalists in the 2021 International Society of Bassists Competition­–Jazz Division.

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Eric is a KRUTZ Featured Artist and joined the jazz faculty at the University of Missouri­–Kansas City in 2022.