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.Panken, Ted (September 2011) "Peter Zak – Melodic Intention". Down Beat. p. 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 recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1989*More Than LoveGiana1991*Purple RefrainGiana2004Peter Zak TrioSteepleChaseTrio, with Paul Gill (bass), Al Foster (drums)2005For TomorrowSteepleChaseTrio, with Paul Gill (bass), Willie Jones, III (drums)2007My ConceptionSteepleChaseSolo piano2007Seed of SinSteepleChaseTrio, with Paul Gill (bass), Quincy Davis (drums)2007Blues on the Corner: The Music of McCoy TynerSteepleChaseTrio, with Paul Gill (bass), Quincy Davis (drums)2009The DeciderSteepleChaseQuartet, with Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax, soprano sax), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)2010Down EastSteepleChaseTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Rodney Green (drums)2011Nordic NoonSteepleChaseTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)2012The Eternal TriangleSteepleChaseTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)2013The DiscipleSteepleChaseTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Willie Jones, III (drums)2014StandardsSteepleChaseTrio, with Jay Anderson (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)2017One MindFresh SoundsQuartet, with Seamus Blake (tenor sax), Marcos Varela (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
As sideman Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel1998The Usual SuspectsFable1998Point of ArrivalCriss Cross2001The DreamCriss Cross
References