Eric Kalb was born on May 23rd 1970 in Huntington, New York. He grew up on Long Island and began playing the drums at the age of ten. Erics initial learning expiriences were through listening and playing to his older brother Scott's expansive record collection."Everyday I'd be jamming along with The Beatles, Zeppelin, The Stones and Hendrix."
In his junior year of High School Eric auditioned and was accepted to the B.O.C.E.S.(Board of Cooperative Educational Services) Cultural Arts Center in Syosset, NY. The CAC provided instruction and performance opportunities for students of music, dance, visual arts, drama and musical theatre. Here Kalb met and studied with Dave Burns Sr., Trumpeter with such
musical luminaries as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody and Babs Gonzalez. Dave Burns taught classes in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History.
"DB is the cat who opened up a whole new world of music for me. He set me straight on what real deal jazz is all about." Through Burns, Eric attended International Art of Jazz Clinics and studied with drummer Michael Carvin.

After high school Kalb moved to Boston where he attended Berklee College of Music. In Boston he met and performed with musicians from all over the world. At Berklee he studied with latin music specialist Ed Uribe
and jazz drummer John Ramsey, authors of 'The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion and Drumset' and 'Art Blakey's Jazz Messages' respectively. "During my time in Boston I performed with many diverse sounding groups and
kept my ears open to new sounds." Eric stayed at Berklee for two years before moving back to New York to pursue a career as a drummer.

The R&B boot camp known as 'Tongue n Groove' became Erics gig for the next three years. For Eric it was a lesson in discipline. He logged many hours gigging and focused on rhythm and blues drumming exclusively.

In the summer of 1995 Deep Banana Blackout was formed. The group is a culmination of all of Erics influences and expiriences. "DBB is a great balance of musical sounds, good tunes, fat beats, soulful vocals and extended improvisation."