by Jeremie Fincher

Blaze & Eric could not be a more perfect pick for a Valentine's Day Double Feature. They are easily Anchorage's hottest musical couple, and they met, played their first gig, and had their first date on Valentine's Day two years ago at Sullivan's Steakhouse. They are now married and are welcoming their second child into the world very soon. Congratulations, Blaze & Eric, and Happy Anniversary! There is magic in the air whilst listening to these lovers make music; it's easy to see and hear just how much fun they have.

Blaze & Eric are playing a show this Valentine's Day. Today! Can you guess where? That's right! For the third year in a row, and in honor of their second anniversary of knowing each other, Blaze & Eric will be performing at Sullivan's Steakhouse from 6:00-10:00 PM. Don't miss it! Their set is full of sexy covers and love songs. Oh, and couples: don't be afraid to request "your song," for Valentine's Day!

What a great shot, Joel!

Blaze & Eric are a multidimensional musical duo, usually employing more musicians for their live act. Joel Adams, Anchorage Night Out Event Photographer, and myself, caught them at SubZero Microlounge, adjacent to Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, during a set break. This evening they were playing with drummer John Nyman. Blaze & Eric won "Best Jazz Group," placed 2^nd in "Overall Entertainment," and 3^rd in the category of "Cover Band," in the 2011 Press Picks.

Drummer John Nyman

Blaze explained, "A lot of people think of us as a jazz group because of the venues we're playing," and Eric finished, "but we're really not. More than half of the stuff we're playing isn't jazz." This may have something to do with the lack of the female-centric music groups in Anchorage, Alaska. Blaze puts on quite a show, dancing and performing the songs with delicious music behind her. Eric jokes, "We're a cover band. Maybe it's Jazz because (the audience) are drinking wine at 6pm!"

Admittedly, they play for a different demographic than a typical cover group, playing the earlier-evening slots at places like SubZero, Bernie's Bungalow Lounge on Wednesdays, I Luv Sushi, and even playing places like Humpy's, where they are allowed the freedom to conjure a full band scenario if they feel the need. These earlier gigs are unique slots, and really help a ton with the family dynamic.

Blaze Bell and Little Jazz

Eric dubs Blaze a 'Triple-Threat.' She's a singer, a dancer and an actor. She even considers herself a performer before being a singer. Eric says, "She's done most of her performing in her life on stage. She is a bad-ass. There's a big difference between someone who's been in choir and can sing the right notes, and someone who's used to being a performer. One of the main differences between her and other lead female vocalists is that she's really conveying the lyric and acting, and dancing."

Eric's recent international flight was delayed long enough for him to catch a 'Blaze sans Eric' show that Blaze had already hired replacement musicians for. He said it was a nice change, being able to watch Blaze's performance from the correct angle. "The fact that she's got a really great voice, the best in town...is good, but the other parts...all of her time on stage makes it very compelling to watch."

Mr. Eric Wesley Redding

Eric Redding is a music professor at Alaska Pacific University, and recently taught a Cuban music class. The class just got back from Cuba, and as anyone who has just gotten back from a tropical paradise looks, Eric was beaming. Eric is also in a band called Top Secret (they've played at Tap Root), and he plans on writing some musicals for Blaze to star in. Redding's funk band was also hired as the supporting band for Pamyua at it's most accomplished period.

Blaze is professional musician and actress, gigging and working as a (self-deemed) 'stay-at-home milf,' to their one-year-old son and bun-in-the-oven. She also plays guitar and piano, and when the two have time to practice (as they gig 15 nights in the month of February, alone) they plan on working out more songs, harmonies, and instrumentation. They are also focusing on building a family. Their son and daughter will have absolutely no choice but to be musical beings, as their names are Lyric and Jazz, respectively. Eric also insists it will be, and already is a part of their daily lives. "When they're eighteen, they can do whatever they want. They can drop it...but they won't. Music is such an integral thing."

How does one go about booking Blaze & Eric? www.blazeanderic.com of course!
Check their schedule and catch them at one of their MANY gigs around town!

This two-piece musical act, and soon-to-be four-piece family, is an amazing example of love this Valentine's Day. Have a date tonight? Don't forget to grab a drink at the bar and catch the smooth sounds of Blaze & Eric TONIGHT at Sullivan's Steakhouse from 6 to 10 PM.

Anchorage Night Out would like to thank Joel Adams Photography for accompanying us for the Valentine's Day Double Feature. Stay tuned, in just a few hours, we will drop the second edition of the Double Feature!

Jeremie plays bass guitar in Anchorage rock band Robots Helping Clones and is an Assistant Editor at Anchorage Night Out. You can reach him at bands@anchoragenightout.com.

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