While attending a workshop at his local high school, Eric Harland met with Wynton Marsalis, who encouraged him to move and study in New York City. Thanks to a full scholarship granted by the Manhattan School of Music, Harlan did just that. With his degree in hand, he started his professional career. Soon enough, the young drummer was seen rubbing elbows with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Kenny Garrett and Greg Osby. He has also played on quite a few movie scores. According to a New York Times feature, this excellent sticksman "is bound to set the rythmn of jazz's future".