Zach Brock

iA violinist. Throughout the first ten years of his career as a jazz violinist, Zach Brock has shunned conventional notions of his instrument's role in the jazz idiom. He has been heralded as "the great bright hope for jazz violin" by the Chicago Tribune. Brock's wide-ranging accomplishments as a performer, composer, bandleader, and producer place him in the company of today's leading independent jazz innovators.

Brock's newest band, Arrival/Departure, which features guitar phenomenon John McLean and vocal sensation Grazyna Auguscik, has emerged from Brock's role in the upcoming independent documentary film about Zbigniew Seifert – Passion, produced and directed by Erin Harper. The new project offers a fresh take on the music of Seifert while presenting new music by Brock that is informed by the inspirations of Seifert's life and work.

Brock's arrival on the international jazz scene is a culmination of five years with his first ensemble, The Coffee Achievers. Originally convened for Brock's debut recording, The Coffee Achievers progressed from a circuit of Midwest jazz clubs to performing at the Tudo e Jazz Festival in Ouro Preto, Brazil. The group also produced three recordings and a live DVD on Brock's own label, Secret Fort Records.

Brock's growing reputation as a jazz performer has recently been heralded by magazines such as Downbeat, which confirmed his status as a "rising star," and the College Music Journal. The Los Angeles Times called Brock "an intriguing young artist with a bright future"; the Chicago Tribune praised Brock's "rising stature as the rare jazz fiddler with something significant to say."

Brock collaborates with an impressive roster of celebrated artists such as bassist Stanley Clarke, vocalist/pianist Patricia Barber, and drummer Dennis Chambers, as well as Alice Coltrane, Jack DeJohnette, Mose Allison, Kurt Elling, Chris Potter, John McLean, Grazyna Auguscik, Matt Ulery, The Mahavishnu Project and Eastern Blok.