Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Erica von Kleist is an Essentially Ellington legend. A participant in the program’s first four years and recognized as one of its top 25 soloists, she has gone on to build a dynamic career as a saxophonist, composer, and educator. Erica has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, and Seth MacFarlane. She is also the recipient of both the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award and Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award. Her recordings include Project E (2005), Erica von Kleist and No Exceptions (2010), and Alpine Clarity (2014).
Today, Erica helps shape the future of jazz as an adjudicator for Essentially Ellington, working with JALC’s education team to select the high school bands that will come to New York City for the annual festival. In this month’s Artist Spotlight, she reflects on her journey as a performer and educator, and on how EE has continued to inspire young musicians over the years.
Are you a JALC Alumni? Join the network on jazz.org/alumni
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To learn more about Jazz at Lincoln Center, visit us at jazz.org
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/channel/UCP108sGgYT_TlG2YRColGcg?sub_confirmation=1
Erica von Kleist is an Essentially Ellington legend. A participant in the program’s first four years and recognized as one of its top 25 soloists, she has gone on to build a dynamic career as a saxophonist, composer, and educator. Erica has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, and Seth MacFarlane. She is also the recipient of both the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award and Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award. Her recordings include Project E (2005), Erica von Kleist and No Exceptions (2010), and Alpine Clarity (2014).
Today, Erica helps shape the future of jazz as an adjudicator for Essentially Ellington, working with JALC’s education team to select the high school bands that will come to New York City for the annual festival. In this month’s Artist Spotlight, she reflects on her journey as a performer and educator, and on how EE has continued to inspire young musicians over the years.
Are you a JALC Alumni? Join the network on jazz.org/alumni
.....................
To learn more about Jazz at Lincoln Center, visit us at jazz.org
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/channel/UCP108sGgYT_TlG2YRColGcg?sub_confirmation=1
