Picc Pocket
With Picc Pocket, Erica von Kleist puts it right out front—leading a straight-ahead small group through a set of original, high-energy jazz compositions. Jazz history offers very few examples of the piccolo flute in a leading role. One of the closest precedents appears in Buddy Collette’s late-1950s “Swinging Shepherds” projects—flute-frontline concept albums where piccolo was explicitly credited as part of the lead sound. Building on that small lineage, Picc Pocket stands apart as a modern, straight-ahead small-group statement written entirely to feature the piccolo flute as the primary voice, not as a doubling color or novelty effect.
Featuring a stellar band—Yago Vazquez (piano), Noriko Ueda (bass), and Anton Kot (drums)—with guest appearances by tenor saxophonist John Ellis and trombonist Jennifer Krupa, Picc Pocket is a straight-ahead, take-no-prisoners, high-pitched party of original compositions by Erica von Kleist, written specifically for this project. Highlights include “We Know How to Picc ’Em,” an Eddie Harris-esque throwback featuring a booming solo by Noriko Ueda, and “Picc & Choose,” a delicate waltz that serves as the chill moment in a set of funky, energetic tracks. The album closes with “Picc a Peck,” a slow blues that echoes the abstract unpredictability of Eric Dolphy—several octaves higher.
Now booking for fall 2026
The Swing Resistance
Jazz meets comedy meets the age of resistance. Saxophonist Erica von Kleist brings her diabolically witty original songs to the forefront in this hilarious hard-hitting project (thing South Park meets jazz). The project is premiering in March 2026 Whitefish, MT in a performance made possible by a Creative Residency Grant through South Arts, and will be released as a docustory in September.
The group features Erica flanked by five jazz phenoms from NYC - Kellin Hanas (trumpet), Yago Vazquez (piano), Jasim Perales (trombone), Mimi Jones (bass) and Gary Kerkezou (drums). Check back soon for updates and a trailer.
Learn more about Erica’s projects HERE
SAX & TAPS
Tap dancer Dewitt Fleming Jr. and saxophonist Erica von Kleist are the embodiment of swing, rhythm, melody and wit in their groundbreaking collaboration Sax & Taps. Having had careers in the jazz world and beyond, the pair dazzles audiences with their spirit and energy. On the heels of their feature performance at The 2022 Dubai Expo, Erica and DeWitt are currently booking performances at clubs, halls, schools and corporate parties, with the option to be hired as a duo or with a full band.
Picc Pocket
With Picc Pocket, Erica von Kleist puts it right out front—leading a straight-ahead small group through a set of original, high-energy jazz compositions. Jazz history offers very few examples of the piccolo flute in a leading role. One of the closest precedents appears in Buddy Collette’s late-1950s “Swinging Shepherds” projects—flute-frontline concept albums where piccolo was explicitly credited as part of the lead sound. Building on that small lineage, Picc Pocket stands apart as a modern, straight-ahead small-group statement written entirely to feature the piccolo flute as the primary voice, not as a doubling color or novelty effect.
Featuring a stellar band—Yago Vazquez (piano), Noriko Ueda (bass), and Anton Kot (drums)—with guest appearances by tenor saxophonist John Ellis and trombonist Jennifer Krupa, Picc Pocket is a straight-ahead, take-no-prisoners, high-pitched party of original compositions by Erica von Kleist, written specifically for this project. Highlights include “We Know How to Picc ’Em,” an Eddie Harris-esque throwback featuring a booming solo by Noriko Ueda, and “Picc & Choose,” a delicate waltz that serves as the chill moment in a set of funky, energetic tracks. The album closes with “Picc a Peck,” a slow blues that echoes the abstract unpredictability of Eric Dolphy—several octaves higher.
Now booking for fall 2026