Eric Essix 30: A Retrospective

Celebrating the Alys Stephens Center’s 30th Anniversary, Eric Essix returns for a landmark concert that honors past, present, and future. This special evening marks the release of Essix’s 30th album, Things Above, and brings together his band and several special guests for “30: A Retrospective.” The concert is both a look back and a look ahead, as Essix revisits defining moments of his career while sharing new music that reflects where his artistry is headed. Joined by friends and collaborators who helped shape his journey, he celebrates this personal milestone alongside a venue that has been central to Birmingham’s cultural life for three decades. Experience an evening of gratitude and inspired music as two legacies come together and celebrate 30! About Eric Essix: Over a career spanning more than 38 years and 29 full-length albums, Eric Essix has built a body of work defined by artistic excellence, consistency, and personal evolution. From his early recordings and Berklee College of Music training to global recognition on Zebra Records (Warner/Electra/Atlantic), his journey has been marked by growth and a steadily deepening sense of purpose. Rooted in contemporary jazz but deeply shaped by the emotional language of gospel, blues, and soul, Essix’s music carries both technical sophistication and spiritual depth—balancing improvisation with melody, and expression with intention. His sound reflects a lifelong connection to the church, the storytelling tradition of the blues, and the rich, expressive phrasing of soul music. Through his independent label, now operating as Essix Pulse Records (Virgin Music), Essix has released a continuous stream of charting singles and thematic projects, including the acclaimed “Southern Roots” trilogy and gospel-centered recordings that reflect the spiritual foundation of his music. Now, with the release of his 30th album, Things Above, Essix enters a new creative chapter—one shaped by clarity, faith, and intentionality. The pr