“SLEDGEHAMMER”
NEW RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Four decades after Peter Gabriel’s iconic “Sledgehammer” took the world by storm, Billboard-charting saxophonist Eric Knight puts a fresh, funky and fiery contemporary smooth jazz spin on the legendary hit. Inspired by the soulful bite of David Sanborn, the deep funk of Maceo Parker and the sleek melodic style of Candy Dulfer, Knight transforms the instantly recognizable melody into a sax-driven celebration that honors the original while giving it an exciting identity all its own.
Produced by Roberto Vally, with additional production and mix by GRAMMY-winning Paul Brown, “Sledgehammer” comes alive with a powerhouse horn section, Ron King’s punchy horn arrangements, Greg Vail’s colorful flute work, Shane Theriot’s rhythmic guitar, Brian Dunne’s locked-in drums and an irresistible bass groove from Vally. Knight’s alto sax takes center stage—soulful, edgy and full of energy—as the track builds into an exhilarating exchange of horns, flute and improvisation.
Released in celebration of the song’s 40th anniversary, “Sledgehammer” also marks Knight’s debut release with Woodward Avenue Records—paying tribute to one of pop music’s most unforgettable songs while kicking open the door to an exciting new chapter in his music.
“Exotica”
NEW Original RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Catch it on Sirius XM Watercolors Ch. 66
Smooth-jazz favorite Eric Knight returns with his new single, “Exotica,” a transportive musical journey inspired by his lifelong passion for travel and the magnetic pull of tropical destinations—from Tulum and Brazil to Costa Rica and the lush jungles of Latin America. Cinematic and sensual by design, the track unfolds like a modern adventure: romantic, immersive, and fueled by curiosity, passion, and wanderlust.
Knight’s rich, expressive alto saxophone serves as the narrator, weaving elegant melodies through a lush, atmospheric soundscape that feels expansive and hypnotic. The groove is fluid and enveloping, creating a sense of motion and discovery from the very first note. Sexy, refined, and effortlessly mysterious, “Exotica” invites listeners into a vivid escape—no passport required.
“I Heard the bells on christmas day”
FEATURING STEVE OLIVER
NEW CHRISTMAS SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Eric Knight, alongside acclaimed producer Jeffrey Carruthers, set out to re-imagine a Christmas classic that feels both timeless and refreshing. They found it in “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” —a song with an iconic melody that sings beautifully through the voice of the saxophone.
This new recording brings a magical smooth jazz flair to the holiday season, blending Eric’s warm sax sounds with the featured artistry of Steve Oliver, who adds his signature touch on guitar and vocals. The result is a heartfelt, soulful performance that captures the joy, hope, and peace of Christmas in a way that feels both contemporary and classic.
Uplifting, melodic, and filled with holiday spirit, “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” is destined to become a seasonal favorite for smooth jazz and holiday playlists worldwide— sure to warm hearts and brighten the season for listeners everywhere.
“SOUL 2 SOUL”
ERIC KNIGHT & MO LOUIS
NEW ORIGINAL RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Smooth Jazz favorites Eric Knight and Mo Louis come together on their new single, “Soul 2 Soul,” delivering a seamless fusion of R&B, soul, and smooth jazz—an irresistible groove that feels like a warm summer breeze on a beautiful coastal drive. As the sun kisses your face and the groove lifts your spirits, indulge in the silky smooth sax melodies and infectious vibes that will keep you smiling for days. Destined for top playlists worldwide, come experience why “Soul 2 Soul” will be a 2025 summer hit, leaving lasting impressions for years to come.
This track follows Mo Louis’ 2024 Billboard-charting single “To The Maxx” and his 2023 Billboard #1 hit “Static.”
Fresh off Eric Knight’s latest radio single “Passion Fruit,” featuring Jeff Lorber, “Soul 2 Soul” marks the second of many collaborations between Knight and Jeffrey Carruthers to be released over the coming years. With more exciting special guests joining along the way, the full collection will eventually form an album titled “Knight & Carruthers.”
“PASSION FRUIT”
FEATURING JEFF LORBER
NEW ORIGINAL RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Knight’s new original single “Passion Fruit”, is a feel-good, funky smooth jazz track with a simmering Latin flair.
Co-written and produced by Jeffrey Carruthers, this single features an iconic piano solo by the legendary Jeff Lorber, whose masterful touch brings an extra layer of brilliance to the arrangement. Between the infectious groove, Knight’s smooth sax melody’s, and an overall delicious ear candy experience that’s equal parts vibrant and soulful, “Passion Fruit” is destined to be a standout hit!
This is the first of many tracks that Eric and Jeffrey will be releasing over the next couple of years. There will be some exciting special guests along the way and once they’re done the final collection of songs will be an album called…
“Knight & Carruthers”
“Love actualized”
original RADIO christmas SINGLE - OUT NOW!
I’d like to share the heart warming story of how my original Christmas radio single “Love Actualized” came to be.
7 years ago I met an incredible woman named Luanne who filled my heart with such genuine joy and happiness. It was a profound connection and the love was deeper than anything we had ever experienced in our lives. After introducing her to my three wonderful children, everything just seemed to magically come together. Long story short, Luanne and I have been married for 6 years now. Dreams do come true!
I was inspired to write her a song for our wedding and decided to surprise her and my kids by playing it for the very first time on Christmas Day. They all loved the song and over the years my family continually reminded me of how beautiful and timeless the soprano sax melody is. With all that said, I decided to give the song a special holiday treatment so that I could share it with you to enjoy during this Christmas season. Happy Holidays from my family to yours!
Produced & Arranged by Jeffrey Carruthers
“SENSITIVITY”
THE NEW RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
“Sensitivity”, a modern smooth jazz cover of Ralph Tresvant’s 90's R&B smash hit, is the next single to drop from Eric Knight’s debut album, Cover 2 Cover - Vol. 1.
From the conception of this album, “Sensitivity” was one of the first songs Eric & Wolf made a commitment to cover. They both grew up listening to it and have never stopped loving it!
It’s a perfect mixture of funky and feel-good vibes that will have you hooked from the very first beat. Soaring on top of this classic new jack swing groove are Eric Knight's silky smooth and unforgettable sax melodies, transporting you to a whole new realm of musical bliss. With each note, he proves that he's a true virtuoso, leaving you craving for more.
Produced by Steven Wolf
“CASH IN”
NEW RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Get ready to be captivated by Eric’s debut ORIGINAL single, "Cash In"!
Two years ago Eric Knight met an absolutely incredible musician, writer, recording engineer, and producer. “Watching Rodge Nelson wear so many hats during our time together in recording sessions was extremely impressive to me”, said Knight. After becoming good friends over the last couple of years they decided to team up to create a collection of music together. “Cash in” is the first of many to come!
The production features an all-star of some of today’s top session musicians, including Brian Dunne (drums), David Dyson (bass), Daniel Sadownick (percussion), Carnell Harrel (Keys), & Mike Ciro (guitar - featured solo).
“CAN WE TALK”
NEW RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
“Can We Talk", a modern cover of Tevin Campbell’s 90’s R&B smash hit, is the third single from Eric Knight’s debut album, Cover to Cover - Vol. 1. Following Eric’s funky spin on Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and his updated take on SWV’s iconic ballad “Weak”, Eric & Wolf wanted a mid tempo iconic R&B hit as the next cover.
“Can We Talk" was at the top of their list. It features an incredibly catchy Babyface melody, perfect for Eric to sing through his sax. It also has an exceptionally rich harmonic texture, which is ideal for Eric’s jazz rendition of the song.
Plus, the song has recently enjoyed a resurgence thanks to The “Can We Talk” Challenge trending on social media.
The production features an all-star cast of today’s top session musicians, including Bobby Sparks (Snarky Puppy) and Marcus Machado (Jon Batiste).
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO:
“WEAK”
THE SINGLE - OUT NOW
When Eric & Wolf were picking the songs for Cover to Cover, vol. 1, they knew they needed a strong R&B ballad.
After making a list of popular ballads, the choice was clear. "Weak" is such an iconic song with a beautiful melody just perfect for sax. It’s lush chord changes work well in a jazz context and it’s got a deep groove.
Wolf then reached out to Brian Alexander Morgan, the musical mastermind behind all of SWV’s hits,
to simply ask Brian if he knew if anyone had released an instrumental cover of “Weak”.
Brian not only gave Wolf & Eric his blessing to cover the song, he graciously offered to sing on the record!
“CRAZY”
THE DEBUT RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW!
Eric’s debut radio single is finished; a unique contemporary jazz cover of the massive global hit “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. The track, which will appear on the forthcoming album called “Cover to Cover - Vol. 1” was co-produced and mixed by Multi-Platinum Drummer/Programmer Steven Wolf (Grover Washington Jr., David Bowie, Chaka Khan, P!nk, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Miley Cyrus), Yaron Fuchs (Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Sting, Paul Simon, Brian McKnight), and Spencer Hattendorf (Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Jimmy Fallon).
Performances by keyboardist / pianist Bobby Sparks (Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Kirk Franklin), pianist Andy Ezrin (Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Michael Bublé), guitarist Marcus Machado (Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Anderson .Paak), and bassist Will Lee (Late Show with David Letterman, The Brecker Brothers, George Benson).
Stream / Download it now and please share it with family and friends. Thank you!
UPCOMING LIVE DATES
Dates are added regularly. To be notified when we book a date near you, please go here and click “FOLLOW”.
Interested in booking Eric for a festival, club date, or private event? Please contact us.
DISCOGRAPHY
MORE RECORDINGS THAT INCLUDE ERIC KNIGHT
Click the covers to listen, download, and stream:
ABOUT ERIC
Eric Knight is a Billboard-charting smooth jazz saxophonist and world-class veteran musician whose career spans more than three decades of recording, touring, and performing with some of the biggest names in music. Throughout his remarkable career, he has recorded, performed, or toured with legendary artists including The Rolling Stones, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Etta James, Hiram Bullock, Randy Brecker, and many more.
Eric grew up just 40 miles north of New York City in Rockland County, where his passion for music began at an early age. He started playing the saxophone and studying music intensely at age 11 upon entering sixth grade. By seventh grade, he was already performing with his high school’s bands, and by tenth grade he had earned an invitation to perform with the Nyack College Orchestra. From 1996 through 1998, Eric attended Western Michigan University on a music scholarship, concentrating on jazz studies and performance.
At just 16 years old, Eric began immersing himself in New York City’s legendary live music scene, regularly sitting in with jazz, blues, and rock bands at clubs throughout Manhattan. These countless jam sessions became the proving ground that shaped his musical identity. Among his favorite memories is sharing the stage with the legendary Doc Cheatham at the iconic Greenwich Village jazz club Sweet Basil, an experience that remains one of the highlights of his early career.
Those late-night sessions quickly opened doors. Eric developed relationships with many of New York’s premier touring and session musicians, and before long the professional calls began. One unforgettable opportunity was performing alongside Mark Pender (Max Weinberg 7) in Glen Burtnick’s Christmas Xtravaganza, sharing the stage with an extraordinary lineup that included Patty Smyth, Phoebe Snow, STYX, Patti Smith, Marshall Crenshaw, John Waite, and many other celebrated artists!
Another defining moment came when Eric had the privilege of opening for his lifelong musical hero, the late Grover Washington Jr., during several performances in New Jersey. To Eric, Grover remains the true Godfather of Smooth Jazz and continues to be one of his greatest musical influences.
In the spring of 2000, Eric auditioned for the first national touring production of the Broadway hit SWING!, which had debuted at New York’s St. James Theatre the previous year. After winning the alto saxophone chair, he spent nearly three years (2000–2003) touring extensively throughout the United States and Japan, performing for audiences across two continents.
In 2004, renowned guitarist Hiram Bullock invited Eric to record horn section parts alongside Randy Brecker and Donny McCaslin for Hiram’s acclaimed 2005 release, Too Funky 2 Ignore. Eric is also featured as the saxophone soloist on the album’s title track.
While touring with SWING!, Eric formed lasting friendships with the show’s musical director and pianist Doug Oberhamer and acclaimed guitarist Sean Harkness. Their musical chemistry eventually led to the contemporary jazz album Harkness Knight, released in 2009. The project featured an incredible lineup of world-renowned musicians, including drummers Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra), Jonathan Mover (Marillion, GTR), Ricky Lawson (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder), Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck), Thierry Arpino (Larry Coryell, Jean-Luc Ponty), along with percussionist Jeff Haynes (Pat Metheny, Harry Belafonte).
In 2022, Eric reunited with longtime friend, pianist, composer, and musical director Doug Oberhamer to launch a new contemporary jazz collaboration called KnightHammer. Blending Doug’s songwriting and production with Eric’s soulful, melodic saxophone style, the duo released four original contemporary jazz singles that were professionally serviced to smooth jazz radio stations worldwide. The project marked Eric’s long-awaited return to releasing original contemporary jazz music and reintroduced him to radio programmers, laying the foundation for what would soon become the most successful chapter of his recording career.
Building on that momentum, Eric officially launched his solo recording career in early 2023 with Cover 2 Cover – Vol. 1, a collection of creatively reimagined contemporary classics. The project was co-produced and mixed by an elite production team that included multi-platinum drummer/programmer Steven Wolf (Grover Washington Jr., David Bowie, Chaka Khan, P!nk, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Miley Cyrus), Yaron Fuchs (Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Sting, Paul Simon, Brian McKnight), and Spencer Hattendorf (Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Jimmy Fallon). The album introduced Eric Knight as a solo recording artist and set the stage for an extraordinary string of nationally recognized smooth jazz releases.
The momentum continued with Eric’s breakthrough original recording “Cash In,” a fan favorite that was mixed and mastered by acclaimed smooth jazz superstar Euge Groove, marking an important milestone in Eric’s emergence as a recording artist in the contemporary smooth jazz format.
Soon afterward, Eric formed a powerful creative partnership and friendship with legendary producer, songwriter, and keyboardist Jeffrey Carruthers, launching a string of highly successful original releases that quickly elevated his profile throughout the smooth jazz world. At the same time, Eric teamed up with Jordan and Jason Gorov of Gorov Music Marketing, whose expertise, strategic guidance, and unwavering belief in Eric’s music played a pivotal role in successfully introducing him to the highly competitive smooth jazz radio format. Their partnership helped build the momentum that transformed Eric from an emerging recording artist into one of the format’s fastest-rising independent saxophonists. Eric’s first collaboration with Jeffrey, “Passion Fruit,” featuring Grammy-winning keyboard legend Jeff Lorber, became an instant favorite with radio programmers and listeners alike while earning national airplay on SiriusXM Watercolors. They followed that success with the soulful duet “Soul 2 Soul,” featuring Billboard #1 charting saxophonist and friend Mo Louis, which also received SiriusXM Watercolors airplay and further established Eric as one of the genre’s rising artists.
The collaboration between Eric, Jeffrey Carruthers, and the Gorov Music Marketing team reached another milestone in February 2026 with the release of “Exotica.” The infectious original single became Eric’s biggest success to date, earning him his first appearance on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay Chart and officially establishing him as a Billboard-charting smooth jazz saxophonist. “Exotica” also became Eric’s third consecutive single to receive airplay on SiriusXM Watercolors, an accomplishment achieved by very few independent artists and a testament to the extraordinary creative and promotional team that continues to surround his rapidly growing career.
Building on that incredible momentum, Eric and Jeffrey Carruthers continue to push their creative partnership to new heights. Their next original holiday release, “Home For Christmas,” is scheduled for release during the 2026 holiday season, followed by the highly anticipated original single “Heart Fire” in early 2027, a dynamic new recording already generating tremendous excitement and expected to become another standout release in Eric’s rapidly growing catalog.
Adding even more excitement to an already remarkable career chapter, Eric was recently signed by Mark Nordman and Woodward Avenue Records for the release of a bold new interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s iconic classic, “Sledgehammer,” celebrating the song’s 40th anniversary. Produced by acclaimed bassist Roberto Vally and mixed by GRAMMY-winning producer Paul Brown, the recording delivers a fresh contemporary smooth jazz take on one of pop music’s most recognizable songs. The single is scheduled for worldwide digital release on August 21, 2026, followed by its official Go for Adds (GFA) radio campaign with Gorov Music Marketing on August 24, 2026. Industry insiders are already generating tremendous excitement around the release, and it is poised to become one of Eric’s biggest recordings to date.
Eric Knight continues to combine world-class musicianship with contemporary production, unforgettable melodies, and soulful performances that connect with audiences around the globe. Having performed with music legends, toured internationally, collaborated with some of the industry’s finest musicians and producers, earned three consecutive SiriusXM Watercolors singles, and achieved Billboard chart success, Eric has firmly established himself as one of today’s most exciting and respected voices in contemporary smooth jazz. His journey is only gaining momentum, and the very best is still to come!
BOOKING + CONTACT
For booking or session inquiries and correspondence, please fill out the form below and Eric’s team will get back to you.