International Jazz Artist Eric Darius Is "On A Mission" To Promote Musical Education In Schools
Online, March 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - International jazz artist Eric Darius, who is touring the nation to promote his latest album "On A Mission," is sharing his personal story to inspire youths to express themselves through music, challenge stereotypes and follow their dreams.
Darius, who scored a 5.2 GPA at Blake High School of the Performing Arts in Tampa, attributes the opportunities he had in school to his success today. Now he wants to pay it forward. He kicks off his "On A Mission" national campaign to promote musical education in schools on March 17 when he goes to Progress Village Middle Magnet School for the Arts in Tampa. He will play with the school's jazz band at 9:30 a.m. and then will talk to 250 students in the eighth grade about how he became a professional musician. He wants to inspire the students to be creative and confident and to seek their own paths in life. He wants to show how a love of music styles like hip hop, country, and gospel can be blended into jazz and other forms of music not usually associated with young demographics.
Darius began playing the sax when he was 9, was touring the country by age 11, and has shared the stage with some of the music world's biggest stars including Prince, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson and Brian McKnight. He realizes a lot of young people can't name a single jazz musician, and wants to introduce them to a genre he's helping to evolve.
"I grew up listening to many different styles of music from Jazz, Rock, Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, to Country, and I want my music to transcend all musical boundaries and appeal to all age demographics," Darius said of his energetic and upbeat style. The 28-year-old internationally-known saxophonist and composer has released five critically-acclaimed albums, including "Goin' All Out" in 2008, whose hit song by the same title soared to the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart.
Darius will be visiting schools across the country as part of his national tour. For more information, please contact Beth Gaddis, Icon B. Marketing & Publicity Group, at (813) 951-3681.
About Eric Darius:
Jazz artist Eric Darius has released five critically-acclaimed albums: "On A Mission" (2010); "Goin' All Out" (2008); "Just Getting Started" (2006); "Night On The Town" (2004); and "Cruisin'" (2000). He began touring at age 11 when he was chosen to be in Sonny LaRosa and America's Youngest Jazz Band, which consisted of musicians ages 5 to 12. The group toured the country and abroad, including the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Darius is currently performing both nationally and abroad. For more information, please visit www.ericdarius.com.