Eric McGarry

Eric McGarry is a guitarist, composer, and educator based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

McGarry is a graduate of the University of the Arts with a Master of Music in Jazz Studies. Prior to completing his Master of Music, McGarry earned a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance with Honors, and a Minor in Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology from the University of the Arts.

McGarry has studied with prominent guitarists Dave Allen, Matt Davis, Tim Motzer, Kevin Hanson, Mike Kennedy, and Ben O’Neill. While attending UArts, McGarry held the guitar chair for the award winning Z Big Band, under the direction of Matt Gallagher.

In 2019, McGarry was named a recipient of the Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency, a selective program reserved for fifteen of the nations finest collegiate musicians. In 2022 McGarry was a member of Jazz Philadelphia's Core Cooperative, an entrepreneurship and wellness program focused on nurturing the Philadelphia jazz scene.

McGarry’s main creative project, the Eric McGarry Quintet focuses on performing his original compositions. They can be found regularly at venues like Chris’ Jazz Cafe, where McGarry recently hosted the Friday night jam sessions. Recently, McGarry was a featured artist at the Philadelphia Free Library. McGarry will be releasing his debut album, “As I Am, As You Were” on January 27, 2023.

Awards

Illuminate the Arts Grant Recipient The City of Philadelphia (2022)

Jazz Philadelphia Core Cooperative Program, Philadelphia, PA (2022)

Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency, Wilmington, DE (2019)

Gear

Guitars: Eastman T146smd, PRS SE Semi Hollow, CF Martin 00X1ae

Amps: Henriksen Bud, Quilter Aviator Cub, Fender Deluxe Reverb

Pedals: JHS Morning Glory, Wampler Tumnus, Ratsbane, and Ego, Strymon El Capistain and Blue Sky, Dunlop Volume

Stings: Thomastik and Stringjoy

Picks: D'andrea

Eric McGarry: As I Am, As You Were

Read "As I Am, As You Were" reviewed by Geannine Reid

by Geannine Reid
October 6, 2023

Eric McGarry's debut album As I Am, As You Were is an exploration of the complexities of change which finds its inspiration in the natural world, personal relationships, and introspective thoughts on authenticity and identity. McGarry, an established guitarist, composer and educator, presents his listeners with an exquisite musical journey marked by his musical storytelling through the language of jazz. The album opens with “Migration," a track which sets the tone with its modern straight eight rhythms. McGarry's ...

"The new record from Eric McGarry has a highly developed vision in both sound and composition. Each piece feels like a chapter in a novel that has something to say about the nature of change. There are great performances from everyone involved, which results in a cohesive - sounds like a real band - kind of consistency. Eric is a thoughtful player and composer who is not afraid to leave space. The arrangements are not rushed and allow for a kind of lyricism that is song-like, while still being rhythmically and harmonically sophisticated. Overall, this is a refreshing addition to the modern jazz library and I look forward to hearing this artist's future projects."

-Dave Allen (Guitarist & Composer)

"When the opportunity came to help bring Eric McGarry’s beautiful music into a fully realized piece of magic, I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity… Eric’s compositions, and the way he presents them, are beautiful snapshots of light and shade. They are lyrical. They are poetic. They are daring. They are the perfect avenue for Eric to allow his musical voice to sing. Mervin Toussaint, Micah Graves, Steven Perry, and Pete Dennis all support his vision in a mellifluent and democratic way, allowing their own voices to shine through at just the right moments. I’ve been a listener all my life; …It’s records like this that remind me to keep on listening."

-Ross Bellenoit (Producer, Guitarist, Songwriter, & Composer)

"All this makes for a truly ravishing programme in which Mr McGarry’s masterly control of momentum and drama through register, texture and ornament is fully brought out by his highly expressive, cantabile and colouristic playing. These are miniatures, yes, but even in the shortest of the works, the lyrical intensity is as profound as that in longer pieces. All told we are introduced to a musician who shows more than remarkable promise – but maturity enough to produce repertoire that many attempts by bigger or better-known artists will have a hard time matching."

-Raul Da Gama (JazzdaGama)

"Throughout, the compositions on As I Am, As You Were, offer a rich exploration of change and self-discovery, encapsulating McGarry’s unique artistic vision and craftsmanship as a composer. “Inhale, Exhale” and “Transcendence” exemplify his ability to translate complex themes into captivating musical narratives, each offering an intimate reflection of life’s cyclical nature and the transformative journey of personal growth."

-Nolan Debuke (The Jazz Word)

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