Artist description Accomplished Record Producer whose projects have won four Grammy awards, currently composing soundtracks for a wired world.

Music Style Acid Jazz, World Fusion, Urban Electronica, Progressive Rock, Film Music

Musical Influences Miles Davis,Yes, Steely Dan, Dr. Dre, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bjork, Stravinsky, Corbett, Varese, Messiaen, Soma/Neverwasneverwillbe

Artist History You would think that after an apprenticeship with Quincy Jones, followed by signing and producing Herbie Hancock's Grammy winning album, "The New Standard", and most recently producing pop superstars Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight, that maybe Guy Eckstine would be a household name by now." In terms of the pop music world, I think that I have been flying under the radar screen. For most of the 90's I produced records for Verve as VP A&R, while simultaneously tending to a roster of over 40 artists, some of whom are the most influential and important artists of the 20th century. Verve Records afforded me the opportunity to produce records, four of which won Grammy's, fulfilling a lifelong goal. After growing up in studios watching my father (Billy Eckstine) make records, (and later on with Quincy Jones), I knew that I had to be a producer and musician." As an emerging musician, Guy played drums in a variety of bands around Los Angeles in the fertile early 80's. "It was an incredible time musically. There were so many disparate forms of popular music happening at once. I was into progressive rock, punk rock, and the genesis of hip hop, 70's funk." Shortly thereafter the record business came calling. "I was asked to interview for a publishing position at Virgin Music whom were just forming their U.S. music publishing business. I got the position and became Creative Manager for their R&B songwriters. I secured "covers" with Whitney Houston, Vanessa Williams, etc." Guy produced his first professional song demos at Virgin Music and one of those demos led to Guy being hired away by Columbia Records as an A&R Executive. During Guy's 2 years at Columbia he signed their first hip hop group "Movement Ex". Other Columbia artists Guy also worked with included Terence Trent D'Arby, Regina Belle, Philip Bailey, and Shawn Smith (Brad/Satchel). From there Guy joined Verve Records as a producer and A&R executive. "Within a few weeks I began working on the Frank Zappa tribute record, "Zappa's Universe", which won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental!" While at Verve Records Guy signed and produced/executive produced over 25 records (4 of which won Grammy's) including artists Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jeff Lorber, Chris Botti, Gino Vannelli, Art Porter, and Incognito, among others. "It was a dream come true working with Herbie Hancock, and to have my production of "The New Standard" win a Grammy, I was really deeply happy with that." Guy also had a hand in the early development of Eric Benet and Lalah Hathaway's careers, as they appeared on albums by Jeff Lorber and Art Porter. "I also love to find new and exciting artists such as Chris Botti and Pete Belasco. I am so thrilled to witness the development of Chris Botti's career. He has become the super trumpet sideman to the stars (Sting, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant), and quite an original artist in his own right, with a very unique voice and style that is intoxicating to an audience worldwide." After the mega-mergers of the late 90's Guy's creative efforts were spent producing alternative rock singer/songwriter Alexandra Scott, as well as, producing the late Art Porter's tribute album, "For Art's Sake". After a brief roller coaster ride as VP/Creative Development at internet iconoclast MP3.com, Guy along with his brother Ed Eckstine, produced for Atlantic Records, Cyrus Chestnut and Friends, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", featuring Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight. "It is a re-make of the original Vince Guaraldi classic with some all star surprises thrown in. It was a special treat to also work with two of my personal heroes, Pat Martino, and Steve Gadd." Guy most recently Executive Produced Brian Culbertson's Billboard #1 Contemporary Jazz album, "Nice & Slow", on Atlantic Records, featuring Kenny Lattimore, Trey Lorenz, Sherrie, and Herb Alpert. "My next mission to accomplish is to produce records that are more in the mainstream pop music world. My development in the jazz world, vis a vis, working with the world's best vocalists, instrumentalists and engineers, has given me the tools necessary to work with today's pop superstars. I love Pop, Hip Hop and Modern Rock music, and I would love to work with Christina Aguilera, Radiohead and Dr. Dre. My musical hero is Quincy Jones, and if I can even approach the standard he has set in producing music in various genres I would be happy to achieve that goal, to say the least!" In keeping up with the Jones', Guy is now immersed in the Music Supervision/Music Scoring world. "Most of the music that I have produced and or composed has been very cinematic in nature. It feels very natural for me to get involved in music for Film and TV and I look forward to more creative opportunities." In addition to producing Alexandra Scott's followup to "Styrofoam", Guy is always on the hunt for new artists. "I always have my ear to the ground and I love to uncover as yet, unheard of bands."

Group Members Guy Eckstine- all instruments

Instruments Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Vibes, Macintosh

Albums Northeast By Southwest

Additional Info Produced/Executive Produced/A&R Direction for-Herbie Hancock, Cyrus Chestnut, Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight, Brian Culbertson, Pete Belasco, Chris Botti, Gino Vannelli, Jeff Lorber, Art Porter, Evan Marks, Incognito, Frank Zappa, Peter Delano, Tom Grant, Ricardo Silviera, Alexandra Scott, Spaceman Spiff, Shawn Smith, Wayne Shorter

Location Beverly Hills, CA - USA

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