Musicians - Rachel Z

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	Musicians - Rachel Z

Rachel Carmel Nicolazzo (born 28 December 1962 in Manhattan), better known as Rachel Z, is a jazz pianist.

Rachel Z was raised into a musical family. With an opera singing mother, Z began voice lessons at the mere age of two, and took piano lessons when she was seven. In her mid-teens, Rachel discovered Miles Davis' Miles Smiles, whose improvisational works diverted her from her classical roots.

In 1979 Z's pianistic talent enabled her to attend the Berklee College of Music where she launched the quintet, Nardis, whilst studying with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Beirach. Later Rachel Z graduated from the New England Conservatory with a 'Distinction in Performance' award in 1984. Meanwhile she was playing professionally in and around Boston in a small group that included George Garzone.

1988, Rachel returned to New York and co-wrote Tokyo Blue schoolmate turned pro-saxophonist Najee and then played mostly keyboards with classic fusion band Steps Ahead where leader Mike Mainieri suggested she altered her name as to be easier to pronounce.

Z remained with Steps Ahead until 1996, however collaborated with a number of different artists in this time, establishing her name within the jazz scene. In 1995 she worked with one of her greatest influences, Wayne Shorter, on his album High Life, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. She was responsible for the CDs synthesized orchestral settings, acoustic piano solos and concurrent promotional tour.

In 1999 Z was a part of a jazz fusion project by Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. The effort, simply called Vertu, featured such artists as Karen Briggs on violin, Richie Kotzenon guitar. The album received very positive reviews. (Clarke and White played together with Chick Corea in the band called Return To Forever).

Recently Rachel Z has been working mostly as the lead of her own trio. Albums are often meaningful being impressions of the biggest events and influences on her life. She dedicated A Room of One’s Own to the many women artists who have played a significant role in her life. Her characterical musical intelligence and development of her genre has made her one of the most exciting female jazz musicians of the twenty-first century.

Rachel Z had her own rock group Peacebox but now focuses mainly on her trio, drummer Bobby Rae a major driving force in a recent flourish of the group's releases. Touring on Peter Gabriel's Growing Up tourS 2002 up until 2004 has given Rachel the opportunity to widen her fanbase and work with renowned bassist Tony Levin.

Discography

Trust The Universe (Columbia, 1993)
Room Of One's Own (NYC, 1996)
Love Is The Power (GRP Records, 1998)
On The Milkyway Express: A Tribute to Wayne Shorter (Tone Center, 2000)
Moon At The Window: Jazz Impressions Of Joni (Tone Centre, 2002)
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Venus, 2003)
Everlasting (Tone Centre, 2004)

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