PZ
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
Pianist
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
13 May 1965(Los Angeles)
Star sign:
The details
Biography
Introduction
Peter Zak (born May 13, 1965) is an American jazz pianist and composer.
Life and career
Zak grew up in Ohio. He studied classical piano between the ages of six and 20. He moved to Oakland, California with his parents at the age of 16. He studied history at the University of California, Berkeley, by the end of which he had local jazz gigs. He moved to New York City in 1989. There, he played with mainstream musicians including Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth, and Ryan Kisor. Zak began recording for SteepleChase Records in 2004.
Zak's playing was influenced by McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton.
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 | Kisor, RyanRyan Kisor | The Usual Suspects | Fable |
| 1998 | Kisor, RyanRyan Kisor | Point of Arrival | Criss Cross |
| 2001 | Kisor, RyanRyan Kisor | The Dream | Criss Cross |