Peter Zak

Peter Zak (born May 13, 1965) is an American jazz pianist and composer.

Peter Zak
Born (1965-05-13) May 13, 1965
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsPiano
Years activeLate 1980s–present
Websitepeterzakmusic.com

Life and career

Zak 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

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader/co-leader
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)

As sideman
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
  1. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1538. ISBN 0141034017.
  2. Panken, Ted (September 2011) "Peter Zak – Melodic Intention". Down Beat. p. 20.
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