Biography

Eric Madis is a guitarist, singer and composer, a versatile artist whose playing and compositions reflect his diverse and thorough background in American music. Whether performing in an ensemble or as a soloist, he exudes a love and a mastery of the blues that have been refined by years of experience in jazz, country, rock, and even Hawaiian music. What results are performances that include authentic renderings of old rural blues, personal interpretations of modern urban blues and jazz standards, and original music that defies strict categorization, but that draws heavily from these traditions. Eric lives in Seattle where he leads Blue Madness and the Eric Madis Trio, performs as a solo act and performs in the Seattle Swing Trio. He recently released his fifth CD on Luna Records. He teaches for the National Guitar Workshop, Guitar Workshop Plus, JamPlay.com and Dusty Strings Music, and also teaches guitar privately.

Eric lived his formative years in Colorado with a family that was musical (his mother was an accomplished opera singer), and began his music study on the piano at the age of nine. He began performing shortly after picking up a guitar at ten years of age. By the age of sixteen, he was performing in Chicago-area coffeehouses. He has worked with artists as diverse as bluesmen Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, and Deacon Jones, Hawaiian luminaries Irmgaard Aluli, Kekua Fernandez, and Emma Sharpe and author/poet Nikki Grimes. He has led bands in Illinois, Texas, Colorado and Washington. He has opened shows for Robben Ford, James Cotton, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Mem Shannon, Hawkeye Herman and author Sherman Alexie. Eric's four albums have received critical acclaim, including regional airplay and nominations from NAMA and Washington Blues Society (WBS). He has received 16 Best Blues nominations from WBS, was a finalist in the New Folk Awards at the 1981 Kerrville National Folk Festival, a finalist in the 1991 Seattle Guitar Starz competition, and has music featured on five film soundtracks. Eric has taught guitar classes at Denver Free University, University of Washington's Experimental College, Northwest Folklife Festival, National Guitar Workshop, and Canada's Guitar Workshop Plus.

Whether performing in a group or as a soloist, at a concert or a small club, teaching privately or a large workshop, Eric is a dedicated professional, with commitment to the quality of his art and to his audience.

"Eric should be considered a local treasure." -- James Middlefield, Victory Review

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emadis@juno.com

Luna Records 11756 - 12th Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98125 (206) 362-8331