MUSICIAN
Eric Hitt is a multi-faceted, award-winning bassist who has received international acclaim. With his unique musical voice on the upright and electric bass, he has had the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with musicians ranging from local legends to world-renowned artists including Ryan Kisor, Jeff Hamilton, John Beasley, and many more.
Eric's accomplishments include earning a spot in the semi-finals of the 2021 ISB Jazz Competition, ultimately receiving an honorable mention. He was selected as a bassist for the prestigious Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy in 2020 and also won an Outstanding Performance award in the Graduate College Jazz Soloist category in the 44th annual DownBeat SMAs. His playing has been heard on Amazon Music's "The Pocket" and "Laid Back Jazz" playlists as a featured soloist on Nick Finzer's "Patience, Patience".
Eric had the privilege of being the bassist and rhythm section leader for the seven-time GRAMMY-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas, where he performed with guest artists including Melissa Aldana, Kirk Whalum, and Kenny Werner.
Eric is currently located in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and has performed and recorded across the United States at Capitol Records, the Blue Room, the Meyerson Symphony Center, and more.
EDUCATOR
As a passionate educator, Eric Hitt serves as a Graduate Teaching Fellow in the jazz division at the University of North Texas. His responsibilities have included directing large jazz ensembles, coaching small jazz ensembles, teaching private jazz bass lessons, co-teaching jazz fundamentals, instructing the introduction to jazz recordings course, and more. He has also conducted rhythm section clinics and masterclasses at high school as colleges in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Ohio.
Eric's credentials include a B.M. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.M. from the University of North Texas, where he is currently working on his D.M.A. His primary teachers include Dr. Hans Sturm and Prof. Lynn Seaton.
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
TRUMPETERS
Ryan Kisor, Philip Dizack, Ashlin Parker, Rob Parton
PIANISTS & KEYBOARDISTS
Dave Meder, Fredrick Sanders, Quennel Gaskin, Dan Haerle, Christine Hitt, Neil Slater, John Beasley, Pat Coil, Bobby Sparks
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
TROMBONISTS
Andre Hayward, Nick Finzer, Marcus Lewis
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
INTERNATIONAL
Xi'an Jiaotong University
KRUTZ STRINGS
Eric is a featured artist for Krutz stringed instruments.