Peter Zak (born May 13, 1965) is an American jazz pianist and composer.
Peter Zak | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 13, 1965 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | Late 1980s–present |
| Website | peterzakmusic.com |
Life and career
editZak grew up in Ohio.[1] He studied classical piano between the ages of six and 20.[2] He moved to Oakland, California with his parents at the age of 16.[2] He studied history at the University of California, Berkeley, by the end of which he had local jazz gigs.[2] He moved to New York City in 1989.[1] There, he played with mainstream musicians including Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth, and Ryan Kisor.[2] Zak began recording for SteepleChase Records in 2004.[2]
Zak's playing was influenced by McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton.[2]
Discography
editAn asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader
edit| Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989* | More Than Love | Giana | |
| 1991* | Purple Refrain | Giana | |
| 2004 | Peter Zak Trio | SteepleChase | Trio, with Paul Gill (bass), Al Foster (drums) |
| 2005 | For Tomorrow | SteepleChase | Trio, with Paul Gill (bass), Willie Jones, III (drums) |
| 2007 | My Conception | SteepleChase | Solo piano |
| 2007 | Seed of Sin | SteepleChase | Trio, with Paul Gill (bass), Quincy Davis (drums) |
| 2007 | Blues on the Corner: The Music of McCoy Tyner | SteepleChase | Trio, with Paul Gill (bass), Quincy Davis (drums) |
| 2009 | The Decider | SteepleChase | Quartet, with Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax, soprano sax), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) |
| 2010 | Down East | SteepleChase | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Rodney Green (drums) |
| 2011 | Nordic Noon | SteepleChase | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) |
| 2012 | The Eternal Triangle | SteepleChase | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) |
| 2013 | The Disciple | SteepleChase | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Willie Jones, III (drums) |
| 2014 | Standards | SteepleChase | Trio, with Jay Anderson (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) |
| 2017 | One Mind | Fresh Sounds | Quartet, with Seamus Blake (tenor sax), Marcos Varela (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)[3] |
As sideman
edit| Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Ryan Kisor | The Usual Suspects | Fable |
| 1998 | Ryan Kisor | Point of Arrival | Criss Cross |
| 2001 | Ryan Kisor | The Dream | Criss Cross |
References
edit- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1538. ISBN 0141034017.
- ^ a b c d e f Panken, Ted (September 2011) "Peter Zak – Melodic Intention". Down Beat. p. 20.
- ^ "Peter Zak: One Mind Feat. Marcos Varela". Fresh Sounds Records. Retrieved November 6, 2022.