Zaccai Curtis (born December 25, 1981) is an American pianist[1] and composer.

Zaccai Curtis
Curtis in 2014
Curtis in 2014
Background information
Born (1981-12-25) December 25, 1981 (age 42)
New York City, US
GenresJazz, Latin jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentPiano
LabelsTruth Revolution
WebsiteOfficial website

Biography

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Curtis studied at Jackie McLean's Artists Collective school in Hartford, Connecticut.[2] Curtis founded Truth Revolution, a record label that he refers to as "Truth Revolution Recording Collective, a working community of artists".[3] The label issued Andy González's Entre Colegas, which was nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award.[3]

Curtis and his brother, bassist Luques, are part of The Curtis Brothers Band[4] (not to be confused with Michael and Richard Curtis, who also recorded as The Curtis Brothers).[5] Their music is strongly influenced by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers.[2]

The Curtis Brothers Band's first album, Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom, was followed around 2012 by Completion of Proof.[6] Their album Algorithm, released around 2019, featured trumpeter Brian Lynch, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, and drummer Ralph Peterson.[4] Zaccai wrote all of the compositions that appear on the recording.[4]

Curtis is also faculty at the University of Rhode Island and the Jackie McLaean Institute at the HARTT School in Hartford Connecticut.

Discography

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  • Insight (2000)
  • Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom (2010)
  • Completion of Proof (2012)
  • Nuestro Tango (2013)
  • Algorithm

References

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  1. ^ Blumenfeld, Larry (December 10, 2011). "Brothers as Keepers of Latin-Jazz Sound". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Garelick, John (Winter 2020). "The Curtis Brothers: Algorithm". Jazziz. p. 95.
  3. ^ a b Pietaro, John (March 2019). "Truth Revolution". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 203. p. 11.
  4. ^ a b c Musto, Russ (January 2020). "Algorithm: Curtis Brothers (Truth Revolution)". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 213. p. 37.
  5. ^ The Curtis Brothers, Palm Beach County Bands of the 60s and 70s. Retrieved Aug. 15, 2020.
  6. ^ Macnie, Jim (February 2012). "The Curtis Brothers: Completion of Proof". DownBeat. Vol. 79, no. 2. p. 68.
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