Though musician Eric Engerbreston was born in Boston, he calls Moscow home.
Engerbreston, who goes by his stage name, Eric E., has lived in Moscow for most of his life, and said music has always been one of his greatest passions.
“I”ve loved music and have been playing guitar most of my life,” Eric E. said. “I did my first professional gig in 1979.”
Since his first show, Eric E. said he has played in every state except for New Mexico, as well as in 19 different countries.
Eric E. said he also lived in Montreaux, Switzerland, for a few years after he played at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Montreaux.
“I decided to stay there and hitchhiked around and I spent a couple of years performing on the street as a solo artist and (in) small coffee houses in Europe,” Eric E. said. “I was in Europe for most of six years.”
After traveling through Europe and performing around the country, Eric E. said he ultimately decided to return to Moscow.
In addition to playing shows all around the world, Eric E. said he has opened for more well-known individuals, like Jay Leno and Styx.
Alex Brizee | Rawr
Moscow musician Eric Engerbreston, known as Eric E., performs shows at local venues around town.
Although he has opened for many headliners, Eric E. said he does not care who he plays for as long as he is playing music.
“If someone flies me to New York and I play at a college it makes no difference than if I play here for 20 people in a cafe,” Eric E. said. “I make no less or more effort, I don”t change my show at all.”
One of the most notable elements of Eric E.”s local performances is his ability to play any music that is requested by the crowd.
Eric E. said he likes to put an interesting spin on his shows by playing “pick a decade,” where he asks audience members to pick a decade and then he will play a song from that time period.
“With Jay Leno I was in front of 6,000 people and they said, “You can”t do that pick a year thing in front of 6,000 people,”” Eric E. said. “I said, “Why not?”
Eric E. said he told the crowd to “pick a year,” and 300 people raised their hands. He selected people by calling on “red hat” or “blue shirt,” and they would pick a year like 2001.
“It worked great,” Eric E. said. “The crowd loved it, and Jay Leno loved it.”
Matt Maw, catering coordinator of Patty”s Mexican Kitchen, recently invited Eric E. to play at Patty”s. Maw said Eric E. consistently brings a happy atmosphere with him, and when customers are happy, Maw said business is good.
“People look forward to seeing him,” Maw said. “They look forward to hanging out at Patty”s and generally buying maybe a little more than they would because they are involved and invested and they want to have a good time.”
When it comes to working with Eric E., Maw said the artist is not only an engaging performer, but also a professional individual.
“He just has a high level of professionalism and craft that he can bring to the table which is great for our restaurant,” Maw said.
Alex Brizee can be reached at [email protected]