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Eric Stern

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Eric Stern
Born (1971-06-09) June 9, 1971 (age 53)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
GenresOpera, Cabaret, Jazz, Bohemian
Occupation(s)Musician, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, accordion
Years active2002–present
Websiteericsternevents.com

Eric Stern (born June 9, 1971 in Philadelphia,PA)[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]

Career

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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

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

Discography

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With Vagabond Opera
  • Get on the Train (2004)
  • Vagabond Opera (2006)
  • The Zeitgeist Beckons (2009)
  • Sing For Your Lives (2011)
Solo
  • Stern Little Stories (2012)
  • Ashes of Rembetiko (2017)

References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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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