Jazz Articles about Zen Zadravec

About Zen Zadravec

Album Review

While there are few new wrinkles on Canadian-born pianist Zen Zadravec's album, New Paradigm, neither is there anything to mar this well-wrapped post-bop session comprised of eight of his generally bright and pleasing compositions and arrangements. Zadravec leads what is essentially a sextet (three-horn front line and rhythm), mixing things up by adding a guitar on three tracks, wordless vocals on two. Guitarist Tom Bartelmay is especially impressive on “New Paradigm" and “Do or Do Not, There Is ...

Album Review

Derrick Gardner & The Big dig! Band: Still I Rise

Read "Still I Rise" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
July 23, 2020

Trumpeter Derrick Gardner, a Chicagoan who has performed around the world with a who's who of jazz luminaries from Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Foster to Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Harry Connick Jr., to name only a few, traveled to Winnipeg, Canada, to assemble and record his Big Dig! Band, several sizes removed from Gardner's sextet, The Jazz Prophets, a working group since it was formed in New York City in 1991. Gardner not only shines as trumpet ...

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Live Review

Zen Zadravec: West Orange, NJ September 16, 2011

by David A. Orthmann
October 12, 2011

Zen ZadravecCecil's Jazz ClubWest Orange, NJSeptember 16, 2011 The presence of bassist Bill Moring and drummer Eliot Zigmund on a New York City area bandstand virtually guarantees a nimble, efficient, swinging foundation, and bodes well for the success of any ensemble. Along with alto saxophonist Mark Gross, Moring and Zigmund served as subs for pianist Zen Zadravec's working band during a recent gig at Cecil's Jazz Club. While the combination of a pick-up band ...

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Album Review

Zen Zadravec: Coming of Age

Read "Coming of Age" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
December 4, 2008

Once in a while you come across a young, new artist who presents an exciting new sound that few words one can say about the music seem inadequate. Such is the case with Canadian-born pianist Zen Zadravec, his quartet and this first effort. Dedicated to the memory of his late mother Irene, Coming of Age is one of the most impressive debut recordings released this year. The music is vibrant, straight ahead jazz that offers eight fresh new ...