erik deutsch,new york,charlie hunter,norah jones

If what’s left of my memory serves me correctly, Erik Deutsch and I first met in the hallway of Hallet Hall during my freshman year at CU Boulder. Hallet was allegedly named “Biggest Party Dorm in the Nation” by Playboy Magazine around that time, and its residents were determined to retain the title. On an average night, one might encounter a full bar, more than one four-foot bong and even a nitrous tank.

Erik and I had a mutual friend in Lindsay Emmett, a violinist with dimples and talent. Lindsay and I went to see Fat Mama, the jazz/funk outfit Deutsch played keys in, on more than one occasion. Fat Mama sold out many of its shows and even mounted a national tour or two. Eventually (Y2K or thereabouts), Mama’s boys went their separate ways. Erik remained in Boulder for a few years, jamming with his then band County Road X, backing my voice teacher Casey Collins and even guesting on my first CD, Ripening.

The Big Apple is Erik’s current home-base. When Norah Jones, a woman who made her name fingering the ivories, began finger-picking guitar recently, Erik filled her pianist shoes. A key position with jazz hands guru Charlie Hunter has enabled Erik to see much of Mother Earth’s voluptuous body, including Russia, Turkey, Greece, Morocco and Mexico.

The Erik Deutsch Band celebrates its recently self-released Hush Money tonight, January 21 at The Boulder Theater (2032 14th Street, People’s Bubble). Fellow CU Music School alum Tom Hagerman, of Devotchka, will warm it up.