Denny Zeitlin(born April 10, 1938)[1]is an Americanjazzpianist, composer, and clinical professor of psychiatry atUniversity of California, San Francisco.Since 1963, he has recorded more than 100 compositions and was a first-place winner in theDownBeatInternational Jazz Critics' Poll in 1965 and 1974. He composed the soundtrack for the 1978 science-fiction horror filmInvasion of the Body Snatchers.[2]
Denny Zeitlin | |
|---|---|
 Zeitlin in 2000 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dennis Jay Zeitlin |
| Born | April 10, 1938 Chicago,Illinois,U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, clinical professor of psychiatry |
| Instrument(s) | Piano,synthesizer |
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Labels | Columbia/CBS,Sunnyside Records |
| Website | dennyzeitlin |
Early life
editZeitlin was born inChicago,Illinois,[1]and grew up in the Chicago suburb ofHighland Park.[3]He began improvising on the piano at the age of two.[4]His father was a radiologist who played piano by ear. His mother was a speech pathologist and his first piano teacher. His parents allowed him to improvise on the piano for several years as a toddler, which he stated was crucial to his development and desire to begin formal study inclassical musicat the age of six.[5][4]He started studying jazz in the eighth grade, and citedGeorge Shearing,Dave Brubeck,Billy Taylor,Lennie Tristano,Bud Powell,andOscar Petersonas his primary early influences, and saw them perform in Chicago clubs as a teenager, able to pass for older due to being very tall.[5]In high school, he played professionally in and around Chicago,[6]and by college at theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign,was playing withIra Sullivan,Johnny Griffin,Wes Montgomery,Joe Farrell,Wilbur Ware,andBob Cranshaw,among others. Mentors included Billy Taylor andGeorge Russell.PianistBill Evans,an early supporter, frequently recorded Zeitlin's composition "Quiet Now" and made it the title track of a1970 album.[2][3][7]
Later life and career
editSigned byColumbia Records'sJohn Hammond,[8]Zeitlin began his recording career in 1963 while studying medicine atJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine,debuting as the featured pianist on theJeremy SteigalbumFlute Fever,which also featuredBen RileyandBen Tucker.[9]Zeitlin's recording debut as a leader was the albumCathexis,with bassistCecil McBeeand drummerFreddie Waits.[4][10]Zeitlin then moved to San Francisco in 1964 to intern at theUniversity of California, San Francisco,followed by a residency.[3]His next album wasCarnival,with bassistCharlie Hadenand drummerJerry Granelli.[4]That trio had a regular gig atThe TridentinSausalito, California,and recorded Zeitlin's next album,Shining Hour,there.[4]
Jazz criticLeonard Feathercalled Zeitlin "the most versatile young pianist to come to prominence in the early 1960s".[11]Reflecting on Zeitlin's Columbia period, jazz historianTed Gioiawrote that the pianist "had assimilated the breakthroughs of the previous decade, from the impressionism of Bill Evans to the free-fall explorations ofOrnette Coleman,and blended them into a personal style that anticipated the next fifteen years of keyboard advances. He stood out from the crowd for the unbridled creativity of his work, the richness of his harmonic palette, and the sheer beauty of his piano tone ".[12]
Between 1968 and 1978, Zeitlin integratedelectronic keyboards,synthesizers,andsound-altering deviceswith acoustic instruments, working in multiple musical genres. The results were first heard in 1969 when Zeitlin composed and performed music for the "Jazzy Spies" sequences on the first season ofSesame Street,featuring vocal overdubs byGrace Slick.In 1973, he releasedExpansion,a trio album withGeorge Marshand Mel Graves, whichDownBeatmagazine awarded its highest rating.[13][14]The period culminated with Zeitlin's writing the score for the 1978 remake ofInvasion of the Body Snatchers,which turned out to be his only film score, despite numerous subsequent offers, because of the extreme workload of many 20-plus-hour days.[15]WhileNew Yorkerfilm critic Pauline Kael thought the music occasionally overpowered the action, she called the score "generally dazzling" and a large contributor to both the humor and terror of the film.[16]
Beginning in 1978, Zeitlin focused primarily on acoustic music, continuing to play concerts internationally[17]and recording some 22 albums. His projects included the solo albumSoundings,the duo albumTime Remembers One Time Oncewith Charlie Haden, andDenny Zeitlin Trio in Concertwith bassistBuster Williamsand drummerMatt Wilson.Zeitlin continued to draw strong reviews. Critic Doug Ramsey wrote that "Trio in Concert", released in 2009, "catches Dr. Zeitlin, at age 70, in his musical prime and his trio afire".[8]He recorded his 2020 album,Live at Mezzrow,at age 82,[14]
With the advent ofelectronic music technologyimproving dramatically in the 2000s, Zeitlin embarked on a major upgrade to his home studio and began to rediscover electro-acoustic music. He was soon joined by drummer George Marsh, and the two released several albums of free improvisation as a duo onSunnyside Records.[18]
Dual careers
editSince 1968, Zeitlin has been on the teaching faculty at theUniversity of California, San Francisco,where he is clinical professor of psychiatry. He has a private practice in San Francisco andMarin County.He had a 30-year mentorship with psychoanalyst Joseph Weiss, founder ofControl Mastery Theory.Zeitlin has combined his two disciplines in a lecture and workshop entitled "Unlocking the Creative Impulse: The Psychology of Improvisation".[7][19]
In comparing his two careers, Zeitlin has said it would be a mistake to think that psychiatry served merely to support his passion for music, when in fact he has a passion for both. "In each setting, communication is utterly paramount. There has to be a depth of empathy that allows you to really inhabit the other person's world. It comes out as a collaborative journey in both settings."[3]
Personal life
editZeitlin lives inMarin County,California, is an avid mountain biker and wine aficionado, the latter interest shared with his trio. He has been married to actress Josephine Shady since 1969.[2][20]
Discography
editAs leader/co-leader
edit| Year recorded | Title | Label | Year released | Personnel/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Cathexis | Columbia | 1964 | Trio, withCecil McBee(bass),Freddie Waits(drums)[21] |
| 1964 | Carnival | Columbia | 1964 | Trio, withCharlie Haden(bass),Jerry Granelli(drums)[21][22] |
| 1966 | Shining Hour - Live at The Trident | Columbia | 1966 | Trio, with Charlie Haden (bass), Jerry Granelli (drums); in concert; also known asShining Hour[23] |
| 1966–1967 | Zeitgeist | Columbia | 1967 | Trio; some tracks withCharlie Haden(bass),Jerry Granelli(drums); some tracks with Joe Halpin (bass), Oliver Johnson (drums)[24] |
| 1969 | The Name of This Terrain | Now-Again | 2022 | Trio, with Mel Graves (bass, electric bass, vocals), George Marsh (drums, percussion, vocals)[25] |
| 1973 | Expansion | Double Helix | 1973 | Trio, with Mel Graves (bass, electric bass), George Marsh (drums, percussion)[26] |
| 1977 | Syzygy | 1750 Arch | 1977 | Most tracks trio, with Ratzo B. Harris (bass, electric bass), George Marsh (drums, percussion); one track quartet, with Rich Fudoli (tenor sax, clarinet, flute) added; one track quartet with Tom Buckner (vocals) added[27][28] |
| 1978 | Invasion of the Body Snatchers | United Artists | 1978 | Soundtrack album forthe 1978 film[27] |
| 1978? | Soundings | 1750 Arch | 1978 | Solo piano; some tracks in concert[29] |
| 1981 | Time Remembers One Time Once | ECM | 1983 | Duo, co-led withCharlie Haden(bass); in concert[30] |
| 1981, 1983 | Tidal Wave | Palo Alto | 1984 | Quartet, withJohn Abercrombie(guitar),Charlie Haden(bass), Peter Donald (drums); one track in concert[31] |
| 1986? | Homecoming | Living Music | 1986 | Solo piano[32] |
| 1988 | Trio | Windham Hill Jazz | 1988 | Trio, with Joel DiBartolo (bass, electric bass), Peter Donald (drums)[33][34] |
| 1988–1989 | In the Moment | Windham Hill Jazz | 1989 | Most tracks duo, withDavid Friesen(bass); in concert; some tracks trio, with Joel DiBartolo (bass), Peter Donald (drums)[35] |
| 1992 | In Concert | ITM Pacific | 1992 | Duo, withDavid Friesen(bass); in concert[33][36] |
| 1992 | Denny Zeitlin at Maybeck | Concord | 1993 | Solo piano; in concert |
| 1994 | Denny Zeitlin/David Friesen | Concord | 1995 | Duo, co-led withDavid Friesen(bass); in concert[33] |
| 1997 | As Long as There's Music | Venus | 1998 | Trio, withBuster Williams(bass),Al Foster(drums)[37] |
| 1998 | Live at the Jazz Bakery | Intuition | 1999 | Duo, co-led with David Friesen (bass); in concert[33] |
| 2001 | New River | Acoustic Disc | 2001 | Duo, co-led withDavid Grisman(Mandolin)[38] |
| 2001 | Stairway to the Stars | Sunnyside | 2014 | Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Matt Wilson (drums); in concert[33] |
| 2003 | Slick Rock | MAXJAZZ | 2004 | Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Matt Wilson (drums)[33] |
| 2004 | Solo Voyage | MAXJAZZ | 2005 | Solo piano, keyboards[39] |
| 2001, 2004, 2006 | Trio in Concert | Sunnyside | 2009 | Trio, with Buster Williams (bass),Matt Wilson(drums); in concert[40][33][41] |
| 2008 | Precipice | Sunnyside | 2010 | Solo piano; in concert[42] |
| 2009 | Wishing On the Moon | Sunnyside | 2018 | Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Matt Wilson (drums); in concert[33] |
| 2008, 2010 | Labyrinth/Live Solo Piano | Sunnyside | 2011 | Solo piano; in concert[43][44] |
| 2011 | Wherever You Are | Sunnyside | 2012 | Solo piano[45] |
| 2003–2004, 2011–2012 | Both/And | Sunnyside | 2013 | Solo piano, keyboards, electronics[46] |
| 2013–2014 | Riding the Moment | Sunnyside | 2015 | Duo, co-led with George Marsh (drums, percussion)[47] |
| 2014 | Early Wayne | Sunnyside | 2016 | Solo piano; in concert[33] |
| 2016 | Remembering Miles | Sunnyside | 2019 | Solo piano; in concert[33] |
| 2015–2017 | Expedition | Sunnyside | 2017 | Duo, co-led with George Marsh (drums, percussion)[48] |
| 2018 | Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin | Sunnyside | 2023 | Solo piano; in concert[49] |
| 2014–2019 | Telepathy – Duo Electro-Acoustic Improvisations | Sunnyside | 2021 | Duo, co-led with George Marsh (drums, percussion)[50] |
| 2019 | Live at Mezzrow | Sunnyside | 2020 | Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Matt Wilson (drums); in concert[51] |
| 2012–2023 | Panopoly | Sunnyside | 2024 | All tracks previously unreleased |
Compilation
- The Columbia Studio Trio Sessions(Mosaic,2009)[3CD] – includes over an hour of previously unreleased compositions[52]
As sideman
edit- David Friesen,Other Times Other Places(Global Pacific, 1989)
- David Friesen,Two for the Show(Summit, 2000)
- David Grisman,Dawg Duos(Acoustic Disc, 1999)
- Jeremy Steig,Flute Fever(Columbia, 1963)
References
edit- ^abColin Larkin,ed. (1992).The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.p. 2771.ISBN0-85112-939-0.
- ^abcGilbert, Andreew (January–February 2014). "Denny Zeitlin: Of solo Piano, Psychology & Body Snatchers".JazzTimes.
- ^abcdJerry, Karp (December 12, 2004)."Jazz Musical Doctor's Medicine".San Francisco Chronicle.Retrieved2009-04-10.
- ^abcdeToomajian, Steve (October 19, 1967). "Body & Soul: The Total Experience of Denny Zeitlin".DownBeat.Vol. 34, no. 21. pp.19–20.
- ^ab"Denny Zeitlin Interview by Monk Rowe - 8/8/2002 - San Francisco, CA".YouTube.Retrieved1 January2025.
- ^"Doctor Jazz".Newsweek.September 27, 1965. p. 94.
- ^ab"Denny Zeitlin bio"(PDF).Retrieved2009-04-19.
- ^abRamsey, Doug (March 11, 2009)."A Psychiatrist's Alter Ego: Noted Jazzman".Wall Street Journal.Retrieved2009-04-19.
- ^Zeitlin, Denny."The Columbia Years: 1963-67".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJuly 9,2022.
- ^Dryden, Ken."Cathexis/Carnival: Denny Zeitlin".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 9,2022.
- ^Feather, Leonard (1966).The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Sixties.New York: Horizon Press.ISBN9780306802638.
- ^Gioia, Ted (November 21, 2007)."Denny Zeitlin: My Shining Hour".Archived fromthe originalon July 26, 2009.Retrieved2009-04-19.
- ^DownBeat,January 31, 1974.
- ^ab"Denny Zeitlin - Compact Discs".dennyzeitlin.com.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Invasion of the Body Snatchers".YouTube video of Zeitlin describing his score.
- ^Kael, Pauline (1994).For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies.New York: E.P. Dutton. p.811.ISBN9780525938965.
- ^Wilson, David McKay (April 2007)."The Merger State".Johns Hopkins Magazine.Retrieved2009-04-20.
- ^Zeitlin, Denny."DENNY ZEITLIN BIO UPDATE--2024"(PDF).dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^"Jazz Pianist & Psychiatrist Denny Zeitlin On The Psychology of Improvisation".Keyboard Magazine.October 1984. pp. 25,30–35.
- ^Scheinin, Richard (2 December 2013)."Pianist Zeitlin marks first album's 50th anniversary".The Mercury News.Retrieved8 February2018.
- ^ab"The Columbia Years: 1963-67".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Carnival".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Live at The Trident (Shining Hour)".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Zeitgeist".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: The Name of This Terrain".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Expansion".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^ab"A decade of Electronic/Acoustic/Genre Integration: 1968-1978".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Syzygy".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^"Soundings".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^Dryden, Ken."Time Remembers One Time Once: Charlie Haden / Denny Zeitlin".AllMusic.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Tidal Wave".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Homecoming".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^abcdefghij"A Return to a Primary Focus on Acoustic Music: 1978+".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Trio".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"In the Moment".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"In Concert".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"As Long as There's Music".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"New River".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^"Solo Voyage".Sunnyside Records.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Denny Zeitlin Trio in Concert Featuring Buster Williams and Matt Wilson".Sunnyside Records.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin Trio in Concert Featuring Buster Williams and Matt Wilson".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Precipice".Sunnyside Records.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Labyrinth/Solo Piano in Concert".Sunnyside Records.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^Wolff, Carlo (December 12, 2011)."Denny Zeitlin: Labyrinth: Live Solo Piano".JazzTimes.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Wherever You Are".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Both/And".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin & George Marsh: Riding the Moment".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin & George Marsh: Expedition".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"DENNY ZEITLIN SOLO PIANO: Crazy Rhythm—Exploring George Gershwin".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin & George Marsh: Telepathy".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: Live at Mezzrow".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^"Denny Zeitlin: The Columbia Studio Trio Sessions".dennyzeitlin.com.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.