Eric Schenkman

Eric Schenkman is an American-Canadian guitarist, singer, composer, and producer best known as a founding member of the New York City–based band Spin Doctors. Though born in the United States, Eric grew up in Toronto after his father, Peter Schenkman, moved to Canada in 1967 to serve as principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Formed in 1986, Spin Doctors achieved international success with hits including “Two Princes,” “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” “What Time Is It?” and “Off My Line,” all co-written by Eric.

Eric has continued to record and tour with the band throughout its career, aside from a period between 1995 and 2001 when he stepped away to focus on family life and pursue other creative projects. During that time, he collaborated with acclaimed artists including Kip Hanrahan, Phoebe Snow, Carly Simon, and Natalie Merchant, appearing on Merchant’s landmark album Tigerlily. He also contributed to 1995’s In From The Storm, a highly acclaimed, all-star symphonic tribute album that re-imagined Jimi Hendrix’s work through orchestral arrangements. Around the same period, he recorded an unreleased jazz project based on Chico Hamilton’s music and fronted his own trio, The Chrysalids.

In 2019, Eric released his debut solo album, Who Shot John? In 2023, Spin Doctors returned with Face Full of Cake via Capitol Records.

For the past decade, Eric has also maintained a steady presence in Toronto’s live music scene through weekly performances at Grossman’s Tavern whenever he’s in town. The residency has become both a proving ground and a creative home, allowing him to continually refine new material in front of live audiences.

His upcoming release, Ten Smiles, is deeply informed by that experience and by the support and inspiration of Toronto’s vibrant music community. Its first single, “Recipe,” honours the enduring legacy of the guitar itself and the role it continues to play as a cultural and emotional archetype.