Eisenstadt, Harris

(photo by Petra Cvelbar)

Primary Scene: Brooklyn/New York

Drummer Harris Eisenstadt has led or participated in a number of key ensembles over the past decade and has also established himself as one of the most talented composers of his generation. Having studied in Canada, the United States, and West Africa, he brings myriad talents and influences to his music. Most active in jazz and improvised music, as both a bandleader and in-demand sideperson, he has performed all over the globe, earned commissions from organizations such as Meet The Composer and the American Composers Forum, and appeared on more than forty-five recordings since 1999.

Eisenstadt formed the quintet Canada Day in 2008, which has released three self-titled albums as well as a record as an expanded octet. The original group included trumpeter Nate Wooley, tenor saxophonist Matt Bauder, vibraphonist Chris Dingman, and bassist Eivind Opsvik. Garth Stevenson replaced Opsvik on bass in 2011. The expanded octet included Ray Anderson on trombone, Jason Mears on alto saxophone, and Dan Peck on tuba. Eisenstadt also formed the September Trio in 2010 to include Ellery Eskelin on tenor saxophone and Angelica Sanchez on piano.

Eisenstadt’s album Woodblock Prints was named album of the year and he was honored as composer of the year in the El Intruso international critics poll in 2010. Other recent honors include nominations for Up and Coming Artist of the year by the Jazz Journalists Association (2009), Rising Star in the Composer category of the Downbeat international critics poll (2009), and the premier of his first piece for orchestra, “Palimpsest” by the American Composers Orchestra (2011).