ABOUT
Multifaceted bassist, composer, and educator Eric Hitt seeks to elevate the music each time he performs. Hitt brings versatility and a unifying groove to the groups he performs with, lending him to be an in demand musician in jazz and other styles of music.
With his unique musical voice on the upright and electric bass, he has earned the musical trust of bandleaders including Ed Soph (former drummer for Woody Herman and Clark Terry), Brad Leali (former alto saxophonist for Harry Connick, Jr. and the Count Basie Orchestra), and Fredrick Sanders (former pianist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra). Hitt has performed and recorded across the United States in places including Capitol Records, the Blue Room, and the Meyerson Symphony Center.
His performing has gained increasing attention as he was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2021 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition and an Outstanding Performance award in the 44th annual DownBeat Student Music Awards. Hitt was additionally selected to participate in the 2020 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, a program guided by the artistic direction of Christian McBride.
Hitt enjoys an active career as an educator, having served as a faculty member at Tarleton State University and Collin College. His students have been awarded scholarships to attend major conservatories.
Hitt earned his Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance at The University of Nebraska—Lincoln and his Master of Music in Jazz Studies at The University of North Texas where he was a member of the acclaimed One O'Clock Lab Band®. He is now ABD-status towards completion of his DMA, and has studied with Hans Sturm, Lynn Seaton, and Jeff Bradetich.
Eric Hitt is a KRUTZ Strings Featured Artist and performs on his 7/8 double bass completed in 2021 by Anton Krutz.
ARTISTS
PARTIAL LISTING OF MUSICIANS ERIC HITT HAS PERFORMED AND/OR RECORDED WITH (NO ORDER):
SAXOPHONISTS
Jerry Bergonzi, Brad Leali, Bob Sheppard, Lucas Pino, Jim Riggs, Quamon Fowler, Shelley Carrol, Adam Larson, Tia Fuller
TRUMPETERS
Ryan Kisor, Philip Dizack, Ashlin Parker, Rob Parton, Terell Stafford
PIANISTS, KEYBOARDISTS, & ORGANISTS
Dave Meder, Fredrick Sanders, Quennel Gaskin, Dan Haerle, Christine Hitt, Neil Slater, John Beasley, Pat Coil, Red Young, Bobby Sparks, Shaun Martin, Michael Weiss
GUITARISTS
Davy Mooney, Leo Amuedo, Jack Roben, Fred Hamilton
VOCALISTS
Deborah Brown, Lisa Henry, Shayna Steele, Tatiana Mayfield, Christine Hitt, Rosana Eckert, Jennifer Barnes
DRUMMERS & PERCUSSIONISTS
Jeff Hamilton, Quincy Davis, Ed Soph, Jason "JT" Thomas, Walter Rodriguez, Gene Coye, Rich DeRosa, Sean Carey, Brian Harmon, Matt Young, John Sturino, Colleen Clark, Steve Barnes, Stockton Helbing, Brian Claxton, Geoff Clapp, Connor Kent
TROMBONISTS
Andre Hayward, Nick Finzer, Marcus Lewis
VIOLINISTS
Scott Tixier
LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLES
One O’Clock Lab Band, John Wasson's Strata Big Band, John Sturino's Blow Globe
SYMPHONIES & ORCHESTRAS
Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Rhythm Section)
VENUES
PARTIAL LISTING OF VENUES IN WHICH ERIC HITT HAS PERFORMED AND/OR RECORDED (NO ORDER):
UNITED STATES
Capitol Records, the Blue Room, the Green Lady, the Black Dolphin, Nocturne, the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Murchison Performing Arts Center, Bass Performance Hall, Jazz Education Network Annual Conference, Scat Jazz Lounge, Echo Lab Studios, Crystal Clear Sound, Sundance Square, Jazz, TX, McDavid Studio, Love's Jazz & Art Center, The Jewell, Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Monk's Jazz Club
INTERNATIONAL
Xi'an Jiaotong University