Eric Stern

Last updated
Eric Stern
Born (1971-06-09) June 9, 1971 (age 54)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
GenresOpera, Cabaret, Jazz, Bohemian
Occupation(s)Musician, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals, piano, accordion
Years active2002–present
Website ericsternevents.com

Eric Stern (born June 9, 1971) [1] is an American vocalist, accordionist, composer, arranger, and pianist based in Portland, Oregon, best known as the founder and artistic director of the band Vagabond Opera. [2] He also performs as a soloist, as well as with the Eric Stern Trio. Stern, with Vagabond Opera, has appeared on NPR [3] and performed at the Kennedy Center, [4] the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, [5] Joe's Pub in New York City. [6]

Contents

Career

Stern was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 1971 and trained as a vocalist at the Delaware Valley Opera Company. At the age of 21, Stern decided to pursue writing and moved to Paris, returning to the U.S., and to music, a year and a half later. [7]

In 2002, Stern founded the group Vagabond Opera, known for their blend of eclectic musical styles, including German cabaret, Klezmer, and jazz. [3] [7] The band released four albums until their hiatus in 2015. [8] With the band, Stern also wrote, composed and performed the 2010 opera Queen of Knives , in collaboration with Wanderlust Circus. [9] [10]

Stern has recorded and performed with a variety of musical acts including The Decemberists, [11] Balkan Beat Box, Unwoman, Pink Martini, and DeVotchka. [12] In 2011, Stern composed the score for the Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre's production of Pinocchio . [13]

In March 2015, Stern's independent production company, Hungry Opera Machine, debuted its first opera at the Alberta Rose Theatre: Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams. It was well-received by critics. [14]

Stern currently works as the Events Coordinator and Cultural Arts Ambassador for Eastside Jewish Commons, a nonprofit in Portland, Oregon. [15]

Awards

ASCAP Concert Division Panel award recognizing creative contributions to American music (September 2011).[ citation needed ]

Discography

With Vagabond Opera
Solo

References

  1. ↑ "TaskMaster.Info - Eric Stern". taskmaster.info. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  2. ↑ Tracy, Ryan (January 7, 2009). "Papa's Got a Brand New Belt". New York Press. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Vagabond Opera On Mountain Stage". NPR. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "Eastern Blocheads: Vagabond Opera". Washington Post. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "At the Great American Music Hall, 2007". Facebook . Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Wong, Melanie (1 August 2013). "Vagabond Opera Enchants Joe's Pub". Feast of Music. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  7. 1 2 Beckman, Rachel (January 10, 2008). "Vagabond Opera: Life Is a Cabaret". The Washington Post . Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "Vagabond Opera". Eric Stern Presents. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  9. ↑ D'Antoni, Tom (May 5, 2010). "Vagabond Opera's Opera: Eric Stern on Queen of Knives". Oregon Music News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  10. ↑ McQuillen, James (11 May 2010). "Opera review: Portland's Vagabond Opera's 'Queen of Knives' is one sharp show". Oregon Live - the Oregonian. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  11. ↑ "Picaresque -The Decemberists". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  12. ↑ "Vagabond Opera and Chervona". WOW Hall. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  13. ↑ Johnson, Holly (12 November 2011). "'Pinocchio' review: Puppets and real actors bring the beloved story to life". Oregon Live - the Oregonian. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  14. ↑ Stabler, David. "Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams". The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Meet our staff". Eastside Jewish Commons. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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