Eric Gorfain ’91

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Mozart. Bach. Brahms. The Cure. The Who. Tool. These names usually occupy separate corners of the music store, but one alumnus brought them together in his own form of music. Eric Gorfain ’91 has made a career of playing the violin with quite an eclectic group of artists.

“I grew up studying violin and classical repertoire,” he says, describing how he began playing violin at 4 years of age after listening to his father play. As he grew up, he began to enjoy some nonclassical artists as well.

“It took me a few years to make the mental connection that violin could be a part of rock or alternative rock,” Eric says. The Internet helped make that connection. “About five years ago I came across a newsgroup posting looking for string arrangers to do rock songs,” he explains. Having previously toured with Jimmy Page and Rod Stewart as concertmaster, contractor and translator for their Unledded tour of Japan, he was perfect for the job. Now, Eric leads a string quartet specializing in adapting contemporary tunes to classical instruments.

So far, The Section has recorded more than 15 tribute albums to a wide variety of artists ranging from Eric Clapton and Pearl Jam to KISS. The latest, a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon is available, and they are finalizing a tribute to Elvis Presley.

As a result of the tribute album’s popularity, The Section has begun performing throughout Los Angeles. “It’s been an interesting ride – and we’re still getting going,” he says. However, this was not always Eric’s life plan. He says “I didn’t realize that I wanted to be a professional musician until I got to UCLA.” Unlike a conservatory, he explains, UCLA offers a varied course of studies, a great location and numerous opportunities.

The University led Eric to Japan during his senior year, where he learned the language and discovered a passion for producing. “If I had chosen a different college, (my professional music career) may not have happened,” he says.

Another benefit to studying in Los Angeles was that UCLA drew famous musical stars to campus. As a music performance major, he says that he “was lucky enough to be concertmaster at a performance with Henry Mancini and Mel Tormé.” During this concert for the UCLA Annual Fund in his sophomore year, Eric realized, “I could handle this – I can do this for a living.”

And indeed he has. Eric doesn’t take his career for granted. While some musicians end up working unsatisfying jobs to support what becomes relegated to their “hobby,” Eric points out that he is “very fortunate to be earning a living making music.” He says that his income comes from composing jobs, The Section gigs and his production business.

Eric’s interest in producing began when he helped the Japanese rock band Charcoal secure a record deal with VAP Records Japan. “I found quickly that I was at the mercy of an engineer, and didn’t have enough control over what sounds I wanted … so we put together a company.” After recording on what he describes as “stuff in my apartment,” Eric and business partner/bassist Frank Scarpelli founded Quietstreet Productions in 1998, and took their business out of the basement and to the commercial district. Eric says that the most rewarding part of his job comes “when someone hears something that I’ve done, and expresses how it touched them or made them feel.”

Through Eric’s works, even some Mozart lovers have gained a little insight into the minds of artists outside the classical spectrum.