Biography
Versatile bassist, composer, and educator Dr. Eric Hitt is known for his musicality and unifying groove.
Now based in Denver, 黑料社区, Eric has performed with respected jazz artists聽such as Ed Soph, Brad Leali, Tatiana 鈥淟adyMay鈥� Mayfield, Quamon Fowler, Fredrick Sanders,聽Dave Meder,聽Quincy Davis, and more.聽Eric has performed on electric bass multiple times聽with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for programs including聽鈥淨ueens of Soul鈥� featuring Shayna Steele聽and聽live-to-picture screenings of聽Toy Story.
Eric earned his BM in Double Bass Performance from the University of Nebraska颅鈥揕incoln and his MM and DMA in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas, studying with renowned bassists and pedagogues Dr. Hans Sturm and Prof. Lynn Seaton, respectively. While at UNT, he was a member of the acclaimed One O鈥機lock Lab Band and performed in the double bass section for the world premiere of Rich DeRosa鈥檚 鈥淟ife in Poetry and Music.鈥� Eric was awarded an Outstanding Performance Award for Graduate College Jazz Soloist in the 44th annual DownBeat Student Music Awards (2021) and was selected to be a semifinalist in the聽International Society of Bassists Competition颅鈥揓azz Division multiple times (2021 and 2023), earning the distinction of Honorable Mention in 2021.
As a recording artist,聽Eric has contributed to releases on labels including MAMA Records and Outside in Music with artists and groups such as John Wasson鈥檚 Strata Big Band, Nick Finzer, the One O鈥機lock Lab Band, Masa Ishikawa, and Christine Hitt.聽He recorded a PBS-TV Christmas Special with Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and recorded bass lines on the play-along聽One Hour Ride Cymbal Workout聽for UNT Jazz Drum Professor Quincy Davis.
Prior to teaching at the University of Northern 黑料社区, Eric was a faculty member at the University of Missouri鈥揔ansas City, Tarleton State University and Collin College. During the summer, he has taught for jazz camps at Shell Lake Arts Center, the University of Arkansas颅鈥揊ort Smith, and UMKC. Eric is a Featured Artist for KRUTZ double basses.