Fifteen-year-old New Orleans piano prodigy River Eckert got some local support for his solo debut, “Pass the Torch”, which features Dumpstaphunk’s Ivan Neville. The standalone single serves as a preview for Eckert’s debut album expected in early 2025, featuring additional NOLA staples George Porter Jr., Terence Higgins, and John Fohl.
At just 15 years old, Eckert is already steeped in New Orleans music tradition. The son of New Orleans Suspects/Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Jake Eckert, River grew up in Uptown New Orleans around the corner from the iconic Maple Leaf Bar. He began playing piano at 3 years old and after initially studying classical music switched to blues and jazz at the behest of his teachers who recognized his natural ability. Eckert is currently enrolled at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and sings both in solo piano and full band settings.
Even without knowing his biography, Eckert’s New Orleans tutelage is immediately evident from the bounce that announces “Pass the Torch”. Eckert lights the way on “Pass the Torch” on vocals, piano, and clavinet, his nubile voice juxtaposed with Neville’s gravelly howl. The young musician loads the song with lyrical nods to those who came before him, including Dr. John, Jelly Roll Morton, and “Satchmo” himself Louie Armstrong.
In his still nascent career, Eckert has already played alongside many modern Crescent City greats including Stanton Moore, Luther Dickinson, Terence Higgins, Donald Harrison Jr., Brad Walker, and many more. For “Pass the Torch”, his studio band included drummer Raymond Webber (Harry Connick Jr.), his father Jake on guitar, bassist Cornell Williams (Jon Cleary), saxophonist Jason Mingeldorff (St. Paul & The Broken Bones), percussionist Michael Skinkus, and trumpeter Harry Morter Jr. (J & The Causeways).
Check out “Pass the Torch” featuring Ivan Neville, the debut single from River Eckert, via the YouTube player below or on your preferred streaming platform here. Stay tuned for news on his first studio album, expected early next year.
River Eckert — “Pass The Torch” (ft. Ivan Neville)
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