Eric Austin, alto sax

Eric grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, and started playing a school-issued metal clarinet in 5th grade. He continued on clarinet (not the metal one) through high school, forming his own dixieland combo when he learned that clarinets weren’t allowed to play in the school jazz band. Much to the dismay of his high school bandmates, instead of pursuing a music degree in college Eric studied mechanical engineering, earning a BSME from the University of Michigan and an MSME from Stanford University. He currently works for Micro Systems Engineering/Biotronik, a manufacturer of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators in Lake Oswego. After several years of playing clarinet in symphonic bands and community groups in Michigan and California, Eric decided to rent an alto sax while living in a house full of musicians with drums, guitars, keyboards and other generally loud instruments. Informal house jam sessions led to the formation of a funk/acid jazz band in San Diego, and Eric’s passion for jazz took root. Life circumstances brought Eric to the Pacific Northwest…shortly after moving to Portland, he joined the 7th St Jazz Band in Oregon City, playing lead alto for two seasons. He has since moved into the Bureau, where he thoroughly enjoys playing original arrangements of classic big band tunes with great musicians. He also plays with the 8 piece jazz/pop/lounge act, Deja Nu (www.deja.nu). Eric lives in southeast Portland with his wife, Chylese, and their daughter Charlotte.