Eric van Aro is a distinguished European singer, songwriter, and producer celebrated for his sophisticated contributions to the jazz vocal genre and his bold experimentation across a wide spectrum of musical styles. A true citizen of the world, his artistic sensibility was shaped by a multifaceted upbringing in the Italian region of Switzerland; and London, England.
Born into an illustrious family of performers, Eric is the son of the iconic Italian singer Caterina Valente and renowned German juggler and producer Erik van Aro, Sr. He is a proud heir to a rich artistic lineage that spans eight generations, a heritage that has profoundly influenced his creative path.
**A Distinct Artistic Identity**
Throughout his distinguished career, Eric has cultivated a unique artistic character that extends beyond music. His passion for theater and dance led him to provide image consulting services for singers and actors, while his charismatic presence made him a natural host for a series of popular radio programs. He became a familiar face as a musical guest on television shows across Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
His musical influences are as eclectic as his work, drawing inspiration from a vast palette that includes rock legends like Led Zeppelin, R&B powerhouse Chaka Khan, and jazz virtuosos from Kurt Elling to Ella Fitzgerald. While hesitant to pigeonhole his own sound, he cites the genre-blending approach of The Manhattan Transfer as a key reference for his choice of material.
**The ERAKI Entertainment Era**
In 1998, Eric founded his elite independent record label and production company, **Eraki Entertainment**. The label is dedicated to projects of intrinsic musical quality, often featuring collaborations between artists from diverse backgrounds. A flagship example of the ERAKI standard is the critically acclaimed album **“GIRLTALK” (2001)**, a collaboration between Caterina Valente, harpist Chaterine Michel, and arranger Gianni Ferrio, which received rave reviews worldwide.
Eric’s own discography is both expansive and varied. His 2001 album **“From the Heart”** is a testament to his eclectic taste, journeying through valse musette, world music, country, jazz, and even rap and hard rock. He further solidified his jazz credentials with **“Friends” (2005)**, an album featuring collaborations with top Italian jazz musicians like trumpeter Franco Ambrosetti, which established him as a major new voice on the international jazz scene.
**Innovation and Collaboration**
Never one to rest on his laurels, Eric continued to explore new sonic territories. **“Desert Motel” (2008)** offered a sublime “on the road” experience with interpretations of songs by artists like Steve Winwood and Pat Metheny. In 2010, he successfully ventured into electronic music with the Beats4life label, reaching **#1 on the Traxsource Lounge/Chill charts** with the song “JAZZ,” a collaboration with Italian house maestro Marco Soundee.
This spirit of collaboration remained a central theme with his **COLLABORATIONS project** for ERAKI, which yielded singles ranging from a hard-rock version of “Le blues du businessman” to a Latin jazz take on “The Christmas Song.”
His 2013 album **“Obsession,”** a contemporary jazz partnership with pianist Fabio Gianni, was met with critical acclaim and significant radio airplay, showcasing his captivating vocals and unwavering obsession with musical excellence. He returned to the Traxsource Top 10 in 2014 with **“Life Song”** as part of the EGH Project.
**Anthology and New Ventures**
In 2017, Eric released **“From the beginning and more,”** a 17-track anthology celebrating 20 years of his recording career, featuring greatest hits, unreleased tracks, and new material.
Proving it’s never too late for new beginnings, 2020 saw the debut of his band **Chronicles Of A Fourth**. Their album, **‘Open Relationship Blues,’** is a sophisticated folk-rock and blues concept album that boldly explores modern LGBTQ+ narratives. The band’s name reflects Eric’s own “third culture kid” background, and their sound has been compared to artists like Nick Drake, Billy Joel, and Vance Joy. The band followed this with **”Fake,”** an electronic-tinged album that serves as a sharp accusation against the falseness in politics, press, and the entertainment industry.
All of Eric van Aro’s and his label’s recordings are available worldwide on all major digital music platforms.
Eric van Aro is not a typical artist. He is a dynamic and unpredictable force in the music industry, bringing unprecedented excitement to every project. When asked how he wants audiences to feel after a performance, he has one simple goal: **“HAPPY.”** There is no doubt that his fans leave his shows not just happy, but thoroughly exhilarated by the talent and passion of a true musical visionary.