Glenn Zaleski is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger.
Early life Zaleski was born and raised in Boylston, Massachusetts.Bhatia, Rafiq "Glenn Zaleski: 'A Sound'" . The Jazz Gallery. His parents were Bob and Barbara Zaleski. He has an older brother, Mark, who plays the saxophone. Glenn took piano lessons from the age of seven. He played in an elementary school jazz band. While at high school, he had gigs in the Worcester, Massachusetts area. In 2004 he attended the Brubeck Institute's Summer Jazz Colony.Simas, Art (May 25, 2005) "The Kid's Got the Goods". Telegram & Gazette. p. 133. He graduated from Tahanto Regional High School in 2005.Duckett, Richard (November 24, 2008) "Brothers in Concert". Telegram & Gazette. p. E1.Keenan, Kevin (June 6, 2005) "Tahanto Graduates Urged to Take Risks While They Can". Telegram & Gazette. p. B1.
Zaleski received a two-year fellowship to study at the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific (2005–07), then completed his degree at The New School. In 2006 he played with Dave Brubeck at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Later life and career Zaleski appeared on two trio albums with bassist Rick Rosato and drummer Colin Stranahan.Dryden, Ken (April 2015) "No Net Nonet Lucas Pino (Origin) My Ideal Glenn Zaleski (Sunnyside)". The New York City Jazz Record. p. 17.
Zaleski's My Ideal, released by Sunnyside Records, contained both standards and Zaleski originals. Nate Chinen, reviewing My Ideal for The New York Times, wrote that some of the playing was "a little too close to the aesthetic territory of Brad Mehldau. [...] But if there is any unfinished business on this accomplished first outing, it involves a stronger claim to originality."
He played piano and keyboards on violinist Tomoko Omura's Roots.Tangari, Joe (April 2015) "Tomoko Omura – Roots". Down Beat. p. 62. As of 2015, Zaleski is based in New York City.Booth, Philip (May 6, 2015) "Glenn Zaleski – My Ideal". JazzTimes.
Playing style Zaleski acknowledges Bill Evans as an influence on his playing style.Garelick, Jon (May 2015) "Glenn Zaleski – My Ideal". Down Beat. p. 59. Chinen noted Zaleski's "subtleties of touch [...] along with his fluent but unhurried sense of phrase".Chinen, Nate (March 16, 2015) "New Albums From Sirens, Zaleski and Miller" . The New York Times.
Discography An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes2010*Duet SuiteDuo, with Mark Zaleski (sax)2011*AnticipationCapriTrio, co-led with Rick Rosato (bass), Colin Stranahan (drums)2013*LimitlessCapriTrio, co-led with Rick Rosato (bass), Colin Stranahan (drums)2014My IdealSunnysideMost tracks trio, with Dezron Douglas (bass), Craig Weinrib (drums); one track quartet, with Ravi Coltrane (tenor sax) added2017FellowshipSunnysideTrio, with Dezron Douglas (bass), Craig Weinrib (drums)2020*The QuestionSunnysideMost tracks quintet, with Adam O'Farrill (trumpet), Lucas Pino (tenor sax), Desmond White (bass), Allan Mednard (drums); one track sextet, with Yotam Silberstein (guitar) added; one track nonet, with Nick Finzer (trombone), Andrew Gutauskas (baritone sax), Alex LoRe (alto sax), Andrew Renfroe (guitar) added2023Star DreamsSunnysideTrio, with Dezron Douglas (bass), Willie Jones III (drums)
As sideman Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel2015*Team & VariationsChallenge2015*RootsInner Circle2015*No Net NonetOrigin2016*Cosmic AdventureSunnyside Records2017*The Answer Is NoOutside In Music2021*The Way We Are CreatedInner Circle Music
References