Musician 1st Class Eric Vazquez

Saxophone

Musician 1st Class Eric Vazquez is a native of Denton, Texas. He studied classical saxophone performance and music composition at the University of North Texas, studying under Dr. Eric Nestler and Dr. Kirsten Soriano respectively.

Prior to joining the Navy, Vazquez was an active performer and lesson teacher in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex. Vazquez was a winner in the 2019 University of North Texas concerto competition and performed with groups like the NOVA New Music Ensemble, Mikki Daniel & Texas Wildfire, Andy Meadows & His Big Band, Pecos River Brass, and The Dallas Jazz Orchestra. While living in Japan and Chicago, he was the band leader of the "International Jazz Collective” (a six piece jazz ensemble), a member of the “Alone Together Duo,” and the saxophonist of the “Daseul Kim Jazz Quintet”.

In 2020, Vazquez enlisted in the Navy, and, upon graduation from RTC Great Lakes, reported to the Naval School of Music at JEB Little Creek, VA. His subsequent duty stations include the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan, and Navy Band Great Lakes in Great Lakes, IL. In his time at these stations he served as Unit Leader of the Saxophone Quartet, Popular Music Group, Jazz Combo, and has served as a Drum Major. His collateral duties include Administrative Petty Officer, Operations Petty Officer, Information Service Technician, Travel Petty Officer, and Band Librarian. He also holds a secondary Navy Enlisted Classification as a Command Pay & Personnel Administrator.

In 2025, Vazquez auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. He reported to Annapolis in July 2026 for duty as saxophone instrumentalist with the marching band, ceremonial units, Superintendent’s Combo and the Bravo Zulu Brass Band.

Vazquez's awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal, and The Colonel Finley Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award.