Born: August 6, 1973 Primary Instrument: Piano
Dan Zemelman has been active in the SF bay area jazz scene for over 7 years, playing with innovators such as Marcus Shelby, Adam Theis, Natasha Miller, Doug Beavers and more. In 1998, he was chosen as a Jazz Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka and performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., a great honor courtesy of the U.S. State Department.
Dan studied jazz with Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner and Mike Kocour, attended the prestigious Banff Center for the Arts summer jazz program in 1995 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin/Madison, winning the award of Best Jazz Artist in 1996.
Dan has performed at The Fillmore Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Jazz Festival, The San Jose Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival benefit (for children’s programs), The Sonoma Jazz Festival, at Yoshi’s ” Oakland and San Francisco, Jazz at Pearl’s and more. In 2003, Dan recorded on John Lee Hooker’s last album, Face to Face and played with Zakiya Hooker’s (his daughter) blues band, Blues 4 U.
Dan is proud to announce the debut of his 1st CD as a bandleader, and recently performed at Yoshi’s ” Oakland (February 18) to a packed house. Dan now spends most of his time composing and arranging music for the Quartet.
Awards:
1998 Jazz Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka - Sept, 1998 Best jazz musician at UW/Madison - 1994 2nd place for original jazz/modern composition (Illinois) - 1991 Louis Armstrong jazz award - 1987Hiya Swanhuyser, SF Weekly - Night and Day spot
“While Zemelman possesses a lovely touch and fertile harmonic imagination, what stands out most on “One Way Or Another” is the probing lyricism that undergirds his group concept. He gives his formidable collaborators plenty of space, but the improvisation is always tightly bound to the melodic line. The resulting music is playful, tender, celebratory and consistently engaging, a rare project that compels a second, third and fourth spin.”
Andy Gilbert, prominent bay area jazz critic
“Zemelman’s music is both intricate and soulful. The band weaves melody and improvisation skillfully while employing telepathic abillities amongst its members.”
Darren Lewinsky, SF Chronicle
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Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
Fairfax, CA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
I have taught jazz piano for 15+ years.
I am currently on the faculty of 'The Jazzschool' in Berkeley, CA.
I was on faculty for 'Jazzcamp West' in 2008.
I taught privately at Marin Country Day School for an academic year.
