Erik Rothenstein (born in Slovakia, Bratislava, 1973) is a jazz baritone, saxophonist and composer. He also arranges, arranges, and serves as a pedogogue. He is the leader of Erik Rothenstein Band, a modern jazz band that combines ethnic elements from southern Europe and middle-eastern Europe with mainstream music. The band collaborates with many international and Slovak musicians, singers, or beatbox artists. His band was on tour in Europe and Latin America. He founded Lento Ad Astra with pianist Zita Skopkova. This group is based on european classical music. It features interesting arragements and new compositions by slovak contemporary composers. They also have a connection to improvisation. Erik began his musical journey as a child, learning to play clarinet and then alto saxophone. He was a member of local rock bands and later joined the Pressburger Klezmer Band. He was strongly influenced by klezmer music and the ethnic music of Middle-Eastern Europe from this point. At the age of 18, he began to play jazz, and he decided to learn saxophone at Bratislava conservatory. He then moved to Austria and Graz academy jazz department, where he studied baritone saxophone. He began to write his own compositions and arrangements, as well as exploring other music cultures. Erik is also a big band player, arranger and sideman. He is a member Matus Jakabcic CZ–SK Big band. He has also collaborated with Gustav Brom Orchestra and Visegrad Jazz Big Band, as well with classical orchestras Slovak Radio Orchestra, Slovak Philharmony. Sinfonieta Zilina, Melos Ethos, and Slovak Philharmony. He is a founding member of Pressburger klezmer Band and a member Michal Motyl Tentet. He was an arranger and composer and worked with companies PS Production, CZSK Big Band M.Jakabcica Michal Motyl tentet Hanka Gregusova and Pressburger Klezmer Band. He also works as a music journalist at Music Life newspaper and skjazz.sk web portal. He is also a teacher of music and organises saxophone workshops. Erik is the author of The Progresive Saxophone Method, the first Slovak Saxophone School-book. from https://erikrothenstein.com
