Eli Herscovitch plays Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, and Blues Harmonica.

He received his Bachelor of Music from McGill University and Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. He has taught music in the Winnipeg and Regina school systems and teaches privately.

Originally from Montreal, he moved briefly to Regina, Saskachewan, and now lives in Winnipeg with with his wife, Esther, a medical doctor, and his two talented and good looking children, Charles and Rachael. Occasionally, Eli is compelled to return back to his birth place and rekindle his links with family, friends, Montreal Bagels and Smoked Meat.

As a professional musician, he has played in musical theatre productions at Rainbow Stage, Pantages Playhouse and Manitoba Theatre Center. He has played with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, conducted the CHAI Folk Ensemble at the Concert Hall and performed as principal clarinet with the Mennonite Community Orchestra. He conducted the Westwood Community Band and is a repeat guest performer with the Winnipeg vocal Choir “ECCO”

For over 20 years he has lead many diverse musical projects ranging in style from Jazz to Classical, from Blues to Klezmer, and all the while providing Winnipeg with top quality live music for weddings and conventions with his eight piece dance band.

Eli has performed and recorded with many of Winnipeg's excellent local artists such as: Al Simmons, Welfare Starlets, Heather Bishop, Bob King, Ben Sures, Hugo Torres, Mark Reeves, Rick Unruh, Maggie May, Ron Paley, Wyrd Sisters, Finjan, Tony Desmarteau, Helen Gautron, John Ervin, Greg Black, Rick Bouton, Danny Carroll, Norm Dugas, Gary Brenner, Tony Cyre, Craig Kaleal, Sid Robinovitch, Adrian Peak, Jan Finlay, Reg Kellin, Garry Grosvenor, Tim Cummings, and played on the Juno Award nominee recording of Danny Koulac’s Knappen Street Allstar Band.

When it comes to Klezmer Music, Eli was a founding member of Winnipeg’s own
FINJAN. Finjan received coveted, five star reviews from both the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun and has performed as a solo ensemble as well as teamed up with orchestras in both the United States and Canada. Just a small sample of Finjan’s highlights include: Garrison Keillor’s live radio broadcast “A Prairie Home Companion”. Finjan was a feature on the “The Lonesome Pines Special” radio broadcast, and subsequently appeared on their international TV broadcast. Due to return invitations, Finjan played two concerts with the world-renowned Louisville Orchestra. Locally, Finjan has performed and recorded with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Another Finjan highlight was a national radio broadcast, recorded live at the C B C Glenn Gould studio in Toronto.
Finjan, ready for action!

Eli can be heard, playing all his instruments and singing on Finjan's first three recordings, two of which were nominated for Juno awards. Although no longer a member of Finjan, he enjoyed fifteen extraordinary years of playing to standing ovations!

Eli has recorded “studio sessions” for the CBC television drama series “NEWSROOM”, and other CBC productions.

Eli is part of Tera Nova, a unique group featuring original "World Beat" music, composed by Sid Robinovitch. Tera-Nova has performed at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, recorded at live concerts by CBC, and performed to great acclaim with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL'S Gala Concert.

In the past, Eli played Alto saxophone in the Kerry Kluner Big Band, a cornerstone of Winnipeg's jazz scene. Kerry's Big Band recorded with the world famous Cuban saxophonist, Paquito D’Ravera.

From time to time you can hear Eli's “M’shugga” band playing in a club around town. With a few of his “crazy” musical buddies they mix Hot Blues, Jive & Swing with a touch of Klezmer thrown in for good luck! It’s a real party!!