Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers by Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers

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Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1974, Zach Brock was introduced to music at an early age by his parents. He left Lexington in 1992 to pursue his musical training in Chicago. Not long after leaving Lexington, Zach was studying and playing with critically acclaimed Chicago trumpeter Orbert Davis. He had the distinct honor of appearing with Mr. Davis at the 1997 IAJE International Convention as a guest artist/clinician.

Since arriving in Chicago, Zach has performed with such notable local musicians as Von Freeman, William Russo, Johnny Frigo, Willie Pickens, Orbert Davis, Kurt Elling, Paul Wertico, Jim Trompeter, Ron Perillo, Patricia Barber, Jim Cammack, Michael Arnapol, Larry Gray, John McLean, John Moulder, Kelly Sill, Marlene Rosenberg, Jim Ryan, Bobby Lewis, Tom Garling, Mwata Bowden, Harrison Bankhead, Ari Brown, and Jeff Stitely, and Dana Hall.

Other notable musicians Zach has performed with recently include Chris Potter, Rob Scheps, Johannes Weidenmueller, and Django Bates.

recent accomplishments include

___December 2000. Awarded a grant by the National Endowment For The Humanities and The Smithsonian Institution to fund a lecture and concert illuminating early American jazz violin pioneers and their impact on the jazz culture in Paris, France during the 1920s and '30s.

___March 2001. Performed with Orbert Davis and Laurence Hobgood at Knox College's Jazz Fest; performed at the Knitting Factory in New York City.

___September 2001. Appeared as guest soloist with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of William Russo in a performance of Duke Ellington's masterpiece "Black, Brown, and Beige."

___November 2001. Debuted as a supporting soloist on Orbert Davis' latest recording, "Priority."

___March 2002. Awarded a scholarship to participate in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead 2002 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a selective jazz residency that "identifies outstanding, emerging artists and brings them together under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors."

___June 2002. Performed with Django Bates, Jim Black, and Chris Potter at the Banff International Jazz Workshop in Canada. Recorded "Zach Brock & The Coffee Achievers" in Chicago.

___September - October 2002. Performed with Rob Scheps in Portland and Chicago.

___February 1. Released his debut CD, "Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers" on Secret Fort Records

the coffee achievers are...

Sam Bar-sheshet, pianist and organist, has performed with a diverse group of artists, including bassist Lonnie Plaxico, Spyro Gyra vibraphonist Dave Samuels, saxophonist George Garzone, and pop sensation Boyz II Men. In 2000, he was named co-winner of Down Beat Magazine's Best High School Jazz Soloist Award. He was a member of the 1998 Grammy High School All-American Jazz Combo, and was a Level 1 Award winner in the 1999 National Foundation For Advancement of the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (NFAA ARTS). He was also selected for the 2002 Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Residency at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Bar-sheshet was raised in the town of Wilmette, Illinois, near Chicago; he now lives in New York.

Matt Wigton, double bassist from Germantown, Tennessee, has played as a sideman with Gary Burton, Pete La Roca, Peter Bernstein, Ronnie Cuber, Steve Davis, and Dan Haerle. Wigton has participated in several high-profile jazz festivals including the San Antonio Jazz Festival, the San Angelo Cactus Jazz and Blues Festival, and the 2003 IAJE World Conference in Toronto. His honors include Outstanding Jazz Soloist at the 1998 Bluebonnet Musical Festival and an invitation to the 2002 Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Residency at the Kennedy Center.

Nori Tanaka, drummer from Fukuoka, Japan, came to Chicago in 1997 to study music at Roosevelt University after strong encouragement from the late legend Tony Williams. Since graduating with honors from Roosevelt, Tanaka has been a member of several well-known Chicago groups, including the Jeff Parker Trio. Tanaka has also performed with Jodie Christian, Bobby Broom and Ron Perrillo, and is scheduled to appear with the Taku Akiama Quintet at the 2003 Chicago Jazz Festival.

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