معرفی
Zaccai Curtis is a Jazz Piano Faculty member at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, part of The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. He is an acclaimed pianist, composer, and arranger specializing in the fusion of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz traditions.
His educational background includes:
- Graduated from New England Conservatory in 2005
Curtis's research and artistic interests center on the intersection of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz, often referred to as "cubop". He explores traditional Latin rhythms such as montunos and guajeos within modern jazz contexts, and has developed educational materials on piano voicings and Latin jazz techniques. His work emphasizes the natural fusion of these two musical cultures, creating vibrant and danceable compositions that honor the past while pushing the genre forward.
Curtis's recent album "Cubop Lives!" (2024) exemplifies his signature style, blending bebop with Cuban rhythms including mambo, cha cha cha, and samba. This body of work showcases his mastery in merging the harmonic complexity of jazz with the infectious grooves of Latin music, resulting in a cohesive and innovative sound that has garnered critical acclaim and a Grammy Award.
His notable awards and recognitions include:
- ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s competition winner (2003-2006)
- U.S. State Department American Music Abroad (Jazz Ambassadors) (2006)
- Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s Artist Fellowship (2007)
- Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant recipient (2017)
- GRAMMY Award for Cubop Lives! (2025)
- GRAMMY nomination as producer for Entre Colegas (2016)
Curtis has secured significant grants including the Chamber Music America "New Jazz Works" grant in 2017, which supported the creation of new compositions. While specific details of his advising are not publicly documented, he actively mentors students through his faculty role and online platforms such as his Patreon channel "Salsa Meets Jazz", where he offers exclusive lessons and videos on Latin jazz piano techniques.
He leads the Curtis Brothers Quartet and co-founded the TRRcollective (Truth Revolution Records), a musician-run recording label and collective. Additionally, Curtis created "The Riff: Music News" app for the label and maintains an active performance schedule with renowned artists such as Cindy Blackman Santana.
