Tim Eyermann

A veteran saxophonist, Tim Eyermann is best-known as the leader of East Coast Offering, a band that he formed in 1974 as a sort-of East Coast alternative to Tom Scott's L.A. Express. Eyermann had piano lessons for five years starting when he was six but grew to hate them. However when he was 14 he heard the album Cannonball Adderley With Strings and was inspired to take up the alto-saxophone. He developed quickly and within two years was playing professionally. After graduating from Duquesne University, Eyermann spent six years in the Air Force, playing with the NORAD Band and eventually the U.S. Air Force's Airmen Of Note. After his discharge, Eyermann became a busy studio musician and worked in many settings including with Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Julie Andrews, the Spinners and Anita Baker. He has led several versions of East Coast Offering with his best-known sideman being keyboardist Gregg Karukas (from the 1977-79 version of the group). Tim Eyermann's bands have tended to be hard-driving yet funky, accessible but with plenty of solo space for his reeds. East Coast Offering has recorded for the tiny Juldane label, MCA and Bluemoon. Karla's Fire was released in 1999. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide