River Eckert

River Eckert is a 15-year-old piano prodigy from New Orleans who has been immersed in the city's rich musical heritage from a very young age. Born on October 9, 2009, and raised in a musical family, River started playing piano at the age of three. Initially trained in classical music, his teachers encouraged him to explore the blues and jazz styles that define New Orleans' iconic piano tradition, inspired by legends like Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Dr. John. River is passionate about "carrying the torch" of this tradition, and he performs both as a solo artist and with a full band.

Despite his youth, River has already made a name for himself locally and beyond, releasing singles such as *Pass That Torch* (October 2024), *Hey Hey Hey (Fi Nah Nay)* (February 2025), and *Painting Pictures* (April 2025), with a full album anticipated in late 2025. He has collaborated with notable New Orleans musicians including Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., and Terence Higgins. River has also been featured in *Playing for Change* videos and contributed to scoring a documentary on New Orleans. A student at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, he continues to grow as a singer, pianist, composer, and arranger while sharing the vibrant energy of New Orleans music with a new generation.