Bio

Saxophonist Eric Schugren grew up in a musical family in Berkeley California. his father’s record collection led him to an interest in jazz and the tenor saxophone in particular. he attended el cerrito high school where he began his jazz studies, and was able to hear many great musicians as they came through the san francisco bay area performing at venues like Keystone korner and the original yoshis. as a senior he was the featured soloist in the school jazz ensemble and decided to use music as a stepping stone to university of california at los angeles. His freshman year at UCLA he was awarded a scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival. The following year he left UCLA to study harmony and composition at the Dick Grove School and upon graduation began professional work in Los angeles’ jazz, latin jazz, and salsa scenes. Billy Higgins ‘world stage’ in leimert park section of los angeles was in full swing and eric had the opportunity to play alongside many inspiring artists. from 2008 til 2015 eric was the saxophone clinician at the summer jazz academy isja in krakow poland. In 2008 Schugren moved to New York where he has split his time between new york city and eastern long island.