Eric Markowitz Quartet

Bassist Eric Markowitz leads his quartet for an evening of straight-ahead jazz, bringing together the rhythmic foundation and versatility that has made him a first-call musician throughout the Bay Area. After establishing himself as one of St. Louis's top bassists during a decade-long residency there, Markowitz relocated to the Bay Area in 2003, where he's become known for his work across mainstream jazz, hard bop, and blues.

Markowitz's musical journey began in New Jersey, where proximity to New York City allowed him to witness legendary jazz performances as a young musician. That early exposure to the masters shaped his approach to the bass, whether he's anchoring a bebop rhythm section or exploring blues-infused territory. His experience spans both acoustic and electric bass, giving him the range to navigate different musical contexts within a single performance.

As a leader, Markowitz has demonstrated his compositional skills on recordings like the Patrick Wolff Quintet's "Bay Blue", where his bass work was praised for holding "the rhythm section tightly in place" during the band's "fantastic straight-ahead excitement and energy." The album review noted how he provided the steady foundation that allowed the other musicians to explore and trade solos, showcasing the essential role of the bass in modern jazz.

Expect an evening rooted in the jazz tradition, with Markowitz's quartet likely drawing from the bebop and hard bop repertoire that has defined his career. His regular collaborations with Bay Area musicians like drummer Smith Dobson V and his appearances at venues ranging from intimate clubs to festival stages suggest a musician comfortable in various settings, able to adapt his playing to serve the music while maintaining his distinctive voice.

Markowitz's busy performance schedule — he maintains regular gigs at multiple Bay Area venues including Geelou, Hi-Lo Bar, and Club Deluxe — speaks to his reputation as a reliable, skilled musician who brings both technical proficiency and musical sensitivity to every performance.