A native of Stoke, Eric started listening to music with Winfred Atwell’s recording of Black and White Rag. He first heard the Ceramic City Stompers in 1956 at the age of 16. His Grandfather bought him a clarinet, and he started learning to play. Influenced by George Lewis and Monty Sunshine, Eric developed his own style and by 1958 had joined the Ceramic City band. He turned professional in 1960 and joined Cyril Preston’s band. Leaving in 1962 he returned to Stoke and joined the Old Fashioned Love Band. He has played with various bands in the area and started busking in 1984 – he still does. He completed 38 marathons in the ‘80s and ‘90s whilst playing “the Saints” raising over £60,000 for a variety of charities including MIND
Eric plays with Willies Weepers in Alsager and is a welcome addition to Manchester Jazz. He has helped us out since Mart’s untimely passing and we welcome him to the band