He has been called a “beyond category” musician and is considered by his peers to be one of the most accomplished and consistently engaging musicians currently active on the jazz scene today. He is scheduled to play four shows in New Orleans beginning tonight.
Michael Zerang has performed with a who’s who of creative musicians spanning two continents. He resume includes work with fellow Chicago-based musicians Ken Vandermark and Hamid Drake as well as the sorely missed Fred Anderson.
He has also collaborated with European-based artists like Peter Brotzmann and Mats Gustafsson. Along the way, Zerang has earned accolades for his ability to integrate his drumming into a wide range of settings.
He performs tonight as part of the Open Ears music series at the Blue Nile with Jeff Albert on trombone and Helen Gillet on cello.
Tomorrow night, the setting will shift to the Always Lounge. Zerang will perform two trio sets. The first will feature Donald Miller and Will Thompson IV. The second set will feature Anxious Sounds curator Rob Cambre and Helen Gillet. Anxious Sounds is producing the series.
Friday evening, Zerang will play a duet with Rob Cambre at Euclid Records beginning at 7 PM sharp. His residency will conclude on Sunday at the Mudlark Public Theatre, which is located at 1200 Port Street, at 8:00 PM. The musical groupings have yet to be determined, but expected to hear Bhob Rainey on soprano saxophone, Bill Hunsinger on bass and Donald Miller on guitar.
