Rachel Z Trio July 28th
Rachel Z is a spiritual human expressing her light through alternative electronic jazz rock music, composition and production. Rachel Z is a keyboardist with a long history of award-winning performances in the worlds of jazz and rock. She co-wrote the Grammy-winning song 'Tokyo Blue' with saxophonist Najee. In addition to her 13 albums as bandleader and her work in internationally acclaimed bands such as Steps Ahead, Vert?, the Omar Hakim Experience, and OZmosys, she has played and toured with artists like Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning album High Life), Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, Al Di Meola, and Regina Carter. She also co-wrote the Grammy-winning song, 'Tokvo Blue' with saxophonist Najee Rachel came to worldwide prominence in the rock world in the Peter Gabriel concert films Growing Up Live and Still Growing Up Live.
Since 2000, she has been a Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at The New School University in New York. Since 2022 also a Professor of Jazz Studies and Electronic Music at Montclair State University and Cali School of the Arts.
Her Timeline Bio reads like this: 1988 co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning and certified Gold Record "Tokyo Blue" saxophonist Najee. From 1988-96 keyboards and piano with fusion band Steps Ahead with vibes player Mike Mainieri. 1995 joined Wayne Shorter, on his album High Life, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 1996 Columbia Records Trust the Universe, Rachel Z Band. 1997 "Room of One's Own - A Tribute to Women Artists" Rachel Z. Performs original pieces, including "Gently Sleeps the Pear Tree" and "Artemisia," and duets with host Marian McPartland in "Autumn Leaves." 1999 Rachel Z was a part of a jazz fusion project by Stanley Clarke and Lenny White "Vert?". 2000 Peacebox as a vocalist. 1996-2015 Neapolitan Italian pop legend Pino Daniele. 2002-2006 Peter Gabriel Growing Up tours and Hits Live. 2006 "Dept. of Good and Evil". 2010 with Omar Hakim &The Trio Of OZ. 2012-13 Recorded with Pino Daniele for La Grande Madre Tour while also performing OZ tour dates. 2013-14, Rachel Z recorded with The Omar Hakim Experience. 2014 recorded and toured with Wayne Escofferey "Live at Firehouse 12". 2014-16 Terri Lyne Carrington Mosaic 2 "Love and Soul" on Concords Records. 2015 Neal Schon Vortex/Journey. 2020-2021 Rachel Z earned her Masters at Suny Purchase in Studio Composition and Electronic Music. 2022 recorded, produced, and recorded Luna Lagos an electronic dance artist who performs IDM recordings. These two CDs, A Way of the Word Angelica, will be also released in Dolby Atmos Immersive audio.
Opening the evening is singer/songwriter Mike Herz. With an uncanny ability to turn a phrase and deliver lyrics that rattle around in your head, Mike Herz writes and performs in a style that is all his own. Born and raised in northwest New Jersey, music has brought him across America and into venues of all shapes and sizes. He's been recognized for his songwriting at the NJ Folk Festival , Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. He's also played dive bars where intoxicated people request songs he does not know. In addition to his solo work, Mike fronts the indie rock band Part-Time Custodian which plays throughout the tri-state area and beyond. His latest album "Painting Over Paintings" was released in April 2023.