Eisenstadt Harris

One of only a handful of drummers equally well known for his work as a composer, Eisenstadt is among the most versatile and prolific musicians of his generation. 

His eclectic resume includes studies with some of the most respected names in jazz and improvised music, West African and Cuban drumming, and performances in genres ranging from film and theater to poetry and dance to contemporary classical and opera.

Most active in jazz and improvised music, as both a bandleader and in-demand sideman, he has performed all over the globe, earned commissions from organizations such as Meet The Composer and the American Composers Forum, and appeared on more than 45 recordings since 1999.  

His album Woodblock Prints (No Business) was named album of the year and he was honored as composer of the year in the El Intruso international critics poll (2010). Other recent honors include nominations for Up and Coming Artist of the year by the Jazz Journalists Association (2009) Rising Star in the Composer category of the Downbeat international critics poll (2009), and the premier of his first piece for orchestra, “Palimpsest” by the American Composers Orchestra (2011).

His recordings as a leader since 2002 are consistently included on critics’ best-of lists. He released Canada Day Octet (482 Music) and Canada Day III (Songlines) in 2012.