Eric Darius Announces His Engagement

Congratulations to 23-year-old smooth jazz saxophonist Eric Darius, who has announced his engagement to 20-year-old Alyssa Pacheco. Eric and Alyssa first met when they were in a jazz band while attending Blake High School for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida. Eric, of course, played the saxophone while Alyssa performed on the trumpet.

"She’s working and going to school, so music isn't really her priority, right now," says Darius, who performed last summer in Brian Culbertson's band. "But I’m trying to encourage her to keep playing and maybe sometime we can play together on stage."

The couple, who plan to marry in the spring 2007, are now attending the University of South Florida, although Eric is finding it harder to focus on studies while preparing for the March 7 release of his new CD called – appropriately enough – Just Getting Started. The first single from the CD is called “Steppin’ Up.”