Eric Banitt is a musician from Marquette, MI. Growing up, Eric had a talent for music, playing violin, trumpet and piano. He steeped in the classical music tradition before taking an interest in jazz and improvised music.  Inspired by artists like Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Michel Camilo, Eric discovered a world of sounds and ideas previously unknown to him that transformed his concept of harmony, rhythm and spontaneity. During his undergraduate years at the University of Michigan, Eric had the fortune of studying with the creative minds of Ellen Rowe, Andy Milne, Dennis Wilson, Andrew Bishop, Robert Hurst and Martin Katz. Eric’s passion lies in the mysterious moments of frisson that bond the audience and performer. Eric won the 2022 Downbeat Student Music Award for his big band arrangement, “Darn That Dream” and a 2024 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for his original composition, “Give Me a Break”. Eric is currently playing the Keyboard 1 book on the US Tour of The Lion King musical.