Za was raised in Philadelphia and moved to New Jersey at age 15. He was inspired to become a performer at age six when his Dad took him to see Elvis Presley in "Blue Hawaii." His parents bought his first acoustic guitar. He formed his first band at the tender age of 9 with his brother Gary and cousin Robert.
In New Jersey, he honed in on his skills and played with various local bands. He entered the US Navy at 16 where he played bass and formed/led a band called Powers of Darkness on the USS America. Returning home to New Jersey, he continued to play bass with long time friends Butch Duffy, Gary Jones, Michael Webb and Ron Bright. He also played with Eddie Manion (horn player for Bruce Springsteen), La Bamba and the Hub Caps and Ray Deruge.
When disco hit Za became a studio head for the next ten years. He was inspired to return to his humble beginning...playing bass after watching Victor Wooten’s performance on a PBS program. And was BLOWN AWAY! He subsequently met Victor and they have been friends ever since. Za moved to Atlanta in 1994 and started playing for Speech, the musical force behind the two-time Grammy Award winning group Arrested Development and became a member of the group in 2003. Za was Music Director and bassist when Speech launched his Solo career in 1996.
Za has toured worldwide and has had the opportunity to perform on the same stage with Roots, Parliment/ Funkadelic, Black Eyed Peas, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Hootie and the Blowfish, Christian McBride, Richard Bona, Jack DeJohnette, Keith Sweat, James Brown, INXS, Simple Minds, Maxi Priest, The Wailers, UB40 and many more. And the priviledge of performing with the’ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’
Za is currently developing a solo project. Lending his unique style of Bare Bottom Bass. His two-hand tapping reverberates energy, excitement and drama. Taking the listener on a spiritual journey. While His passion for Civic Empowerment continues.
Zas favorite pastimes are spending time with family, friends, watching other bassists perform. His influences include; The Creator of all that is, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Louis Johnson Jaco Pastorius, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Jimmy Earl, Mark King , John Patitucci, Oteil Burbridge, Ronald McNeil, Donald Barnes, Bill Dots, and Norman Perkins.
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