Jazz/R&B Saxophonist, Songwriter, Producer, and Performer, Eric Darius is thrilled to release his new album ‘Unleashed.’
He single from the album, “That’s My Jam” Feat. Justin Lee Schultz is currently at #5 on the Billboard Charts and #3 on the Mediabase Charts. “That’s My Jam” is an upbeat, feel good song that captures the exhilarating grooves and high energy of his legendary live show that Darius wrote paying homage to one of his closest friends, Willie Payne, who recently passed. The song features 15-year-old prodigy, Justin Lee Shultz, on the talk box and the dynamic duo completely soar on this action-packed summer anthem with a message of living life to the fullest!
In support of his new album, Eric has launched his Unleashed World Tour which continues throughout the rest of the year. See all tour dates below.
‘Unleashed‘ is a long time coming for Eric Darius, and without a doubt his proudest work to date. He credits part of that achievement to the creative freedom he’s gained as an independent; Unleashed is Darius’ second album released through his own label SagiDarius Music, following 2018’s Breakin’ Thru.
Eric’s energetic saxophone tones can be heard loud, cool, and clear throughout Unleashed, alongside a smorgasbord of traditional and unconventional jazz instruments and collaborations from Eric Roberson, Paul Jackson, Jr., Justin Lee Schultz, Mononeon, Metropole Orkest and many more.
Produced by GRAMMY Æ award-winning musician, Philip Lassiter (Prince, Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande), this album features collaborations with Eric Roberson, Paul Jackson, Jr., Justin Lee Schultz, Mononeon, Metropole Orkest and many others, seamlessly blurring the lines between Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk & Pop! For the first time ever, Darius recorded the whole album live in studio with the full band simultaneously capturing an organic, authentic sound while bottling up the magic and synergy among the musicians in real time! “I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone on this project and truly unleash my full musical potential. This album is an honest reflection of myself and my growth both musically and personally over the past several years and it really takes the listeners on a musical journey from start to finish!”
Raised in a musical household in Tampa, Florida, Eric has been making music for as long as he can remember. His Haitian father (a bass player) and Jamaican mother (a singer and piano player) instilled Caribbean influences and a passion for music on Eric and his siblings. The American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer shines in a vibrant new light as he reinvents himself through ‘Unleashed’, an expansive and ambitious genre-spanning album brimming with passion and purpose, soul and sweat, charisma and charm.
This resulted in the release of his national debut album, Night on the Town later that year. Since then, he has gone on to release Just Getting Started in 2006 (Narada Jazz), Goin’ All Out in 2008 (Blue Note Records), On A Mission in 2010, Retro Forward in 2014 (both through Shanachie Entertainment), Breakin’ Thru in 2018 (SagiDarius Music) and now he’s officially being Unleashed like never before with his new album!
With seven highly acclaimed albums to his discography, Darius continues to rack up some impressive statistics: five No. 1 Hit Singles; sixteen Top 10 Radio Hits on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart; 2004’s Debut Artist of the Year by Smooth Jazz News Magazine; 2015’s SESAC Top 10 Jazz Artist of the Year; 2017’s Best Jazz, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer & Musician of the Year Award at the 1st Annual Citril Starz Awards; and most recently, he was awarded the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Artist of the Year for 2022, which he will receive in October while headlining the festival.
Stream ‘Unleashed’ here.
