Europe Jazz Network
MUSICIANS

RACHEL Z

Pianist Rachel Z has charted her own course in jazz. Rachel is an exceptionally strong performer and composer and has been sought after for versatility proven through her work with Mike Mainieri, Lenny White, Al Di Meola and Bobby Watson. She has also broken into the ranks and collaborated with such legendary traditional players as Ron Carter, Al Foster, Dave Liebman and most recently Wayne Shorter. As a leader, she's striding into her own with her dynamic women's trio and highly anticipated upcoming NYC Records debut A Room of One's Own. Born in Manhattan, Rachel Nicolazzo was groomed to follow in her mother's operatic footsteps. She began voice lessons at two and discovered the piano at seven. While in high school, she attended a summer session at Berklee College of Music where she heard the classic recording "Miles Smiles". For Rachel, listening to Herbie Hancock's harmonies over Wayne Shorter's compositions bridged the gap from her classical training to jazz. The rest of the summer was spent listening the music of Bird and Bud, before she returned home to launch a quintet called Nardis. She studied with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Beirach and frequented the Vanguard to see such masters as Dexter Gordon and Bill Evans. She graduated from New England Conservatory with a "Distinction in Performance" award while developing an excellent reputation in the Boston area working with the likes of Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone. Returning home to New Yrok in 1988, Rachel toured with New England Conservatory schoolmate Najee, co-writing the title track from his #1 Billboard Hit album Tokyo Blue. Soon her natural melodic gifts and finely-honed harmonic sense caught the attention of Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX and Angela Boffill and launched her fruitful association with producer/vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. She recorded and toured extensively with Steps Ahead, and Mainieri produced her debut album on Columbia Records Trust the Universe. A dynamic offering, Trust the Universe introduced Rachel's musical diversity, reflecting the influence of Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny. Ironically, the CD features the jazz radio hit entitled Nardis. Rachel has great harmonies and really swings at the piano! Chick Corea Also fitting is Rachel's recent collaboration with Wayne Shorter, one of her biggest influences. For almost two years, Rachel has been Wayne's chief collaborator for his new project High Life. She constructed a synthesized orchestral framework to help crystallize Wayne's vision for the music. Rachel also played acoustic piano on the record and is acting as musical director for the extensive tour supporting the album's release. Of all her work, Rachel's happiest on the road. As NYC Records' president Mike Mainieri describes: "she's a throw-back to the 40's & 50's, when Blakey, Miles and all of us toured 350 days a year." While touring with her women's trio featuring bassist Tracy Wormworth and drummer Cindy Blackman, Rachel has been showcasing new material which will appear on her NYC Records' debut A Room Of One's Own. Titled after the great literary work by novelist Virginia Wolfe, the album is dedicated to the many women artists who have played an influential role in Rachel's life. The works of contemporary dancer Judith Jameson, African-American novelist Zora Neal Hurston, and Billie Holiday are among the many inspirations which will be celebrated on this release. Biography courtesy of EMMECI.