Pete Zimmer

Drummer Peter A. Zimmer and his quintet’s third CD Judgment features the master tenor saxophonist George Garzone. “Judgment bumps the energy level up a couple of notches from Zimmer’s two previous outings,” declares Bill Milkowski. His first two releases Common Man and Burnin’ Live at the Jazz Standard have been receiving much critical acclaim worldwide since September of 2004. Pete Zimmer continues to keep a busy performance schedule performing at many of the most prestigious jazz venues in New York City, East Coast, and the Midwest since he formed his band in 2003. "A recent performance at Cecil’s Jazz Club was even more impressive than the recordings." David A. Orthmann - allaboutjazz.comMr. Zimmer recorded his second CD, Burnin’ Live at the Jazz Standard, live at Manhattan’s Jazz Standard on February 7, 2006. “Inspired by the one-night-only live recording it was making, the quintet lit a fire from the opening number,” Brian Lonergan declared in his review in AllAboutJazz-New York (March 2006).Common Man marked the recording debut of Pete Zimmer on which he took his place as a member of the small but select group of straight ahead jazz drummer/leaders. Following in the tradition of some of his most influential drummers, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Art Taylor and Roy Haynes, Mr. Zimmer leads a quintet that plays moving music for the people, but unlike his predecessors, the young drummer didn’t leave the majority of composing duties to his talented sideman. Zimmer wrote six of the nine titles on this impressive disc, demonstrating that he is one of the most talented composers to ever sit behind a drum kit.In addition to his compositional skills, Pete Zimmer is a highly musical drummer who exhibits an uncanny sense of swing as well as a propulsive authority when behind the drums. As a drummer, Mr. Zimmer is always striving to put the music first. He explains, “It’s important for the drummer, and all musicians for that matter, to play accordingly to what’s going on around them in a musical context.” He adds, “This means playing in the moment, listening to the other band members, and responding in a way that will direct the music positively.”Pete Zimmer’s musical approach to the drum set is derived from both his professional experience as a working musician and his education. He started studying orchestral percussion with teacher Jim Sewrey at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin (Zimmer's birthplace) when he was 10. It was during high school that his interest in jazz became strong and at this young age he began working professionally with many local jazz musicians on the Milwaukee scene.He continued his orchestral percussion studies at the highly acclaimed Northern Illinois University. In 1998 Zimmer moved to Boston where he finished his undergraduate degree at the distinguished New England Conservatory of Music. It was at the conservatory that Mr. Zimmer was able to grow and expand upon his base that was previously established.“Stay Tuned. There’s a lot more to come from this talent deserving of wider recognition” - Bill MilkowskiPete Zimmer endorses SABIAN Cymbals, EVANS Drumheads, and VIC FIRTH Drumsticks.