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 by Blue Note artist and MacArthur Grant recipient Patricia Barber as "the one on whom to place your bets in jazz" and lionized 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 latest creative project emerges from his role in the upcoming independent documentary film “Passion," a tribute to the late Polish virtuoso jazz violinist Zbigniew Seifert, produced and directed by Erin Harper. This new project offers a fresh take on the music of Seifert while presenting new music and arrangements by Brock that are inspired by the late violinist’s life and work, as well as Brock’s own personal journey during the filming of the documentary.

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," Strings magazine, 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."

While working as bandleader, composer and producer, Brock still makes time to expand his resume, collaborating 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.

In 2009, Brock is touring in support of the film “Passion” with director Erin Harper.  Concerts include screenings of the 30-min short, performance of new music, and discussion with the director and performers.  Tour sponsors include the Polish Cultural Institute, the Independent Film Project (IFP), and Versus Media.

Zach Brock's career highlights include...

2008/2009
- Interviewer and performer in "Passion: A Music Documentary"
- Performing with legendary bassist and composer Stanley Clarke
- Recording new original material inspired by the documentary film “Passion”
- Touring in support of the film “Passion” with director Erin Harper.

2007
- Coffee Achievers record their third CD and first DVD, "Live at the Jazz Factory"
- Performer on the soundtrack for the dramatic cultural critique "Arranged" (SXSW Festival 2007)

2006
- October 2006, performer with Alice and Ravi Coltrane, Reggie Workman, and Jack DeJohnette as part of Alice Coltrane's "Translinear Light" concert and it's subsequent recording
- The Coffee Achievers international debut at the Tudo e Jazz Festival in Ouro Preto, Brazil Performer on the acclaimed documentary "Black Gold" (Sundance Festival 2006)

2005
- Coffee Achievers record sophomore CD, "Chemistry"
- Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as a new "Rising Star" and later featured in the magazine's "Player's Profile"
- Coffee Achievers perform at Carnegie Hall as part of Dave Douglas residency

2003
- Released debut solo recording, "Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers", on his own record label, Secret Fort Records

2002
- Awarded a scholarship to participate in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead 2002 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a selective jazz residency that "identifies outstanding, emerging artists and brings them together under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors"

2001
- Appeared as guest soloist with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of William Russo in a performance of Duke Ellington's masterpiece "Black, Brown, and Beige"

2000
- Awarded a grant by the National Endowment For The Humanities and The Smithsonian Institution to fund a lecture and concert illuminating early American jazz violin pioneers and their impact on the jazz culture in Paris, France during the 1920s and 30s

Booking & Management:
Secret Fort Music
315 Flatbush Ave, #303
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel: (718) 974-5887
Fax: (718) 701-2869
Email: booking@secretfort.com
www.secretfort.com

Discography
"Live at the Jazz Factory"
Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers
2007 Secret Fort Records
60203

"Chemistry"
Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers
2005 Secret Fort Records
60202

"Zach Brock and The Coffee Achievers"
2002 Secret Fort Records
60201

CDs are available at www.cdbaby.com, iTunes, and many other stores worldwide.
The debut CD was featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered" as well as many other stations and shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"Chemistry", was featured alongside new releases by Dave Holland, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Avishai Cohen in the "Reviews and Picks" section of JazzWeek, Feb. 23, 2005.

Filmography:
"Passion", A music documentary
Directed by Erin Harper
www.passion-themovie.com

"Arranged", Friendship has no religion
Directed by Diane Crespo and Stefan C. Schaefer
www.arrangedthemovie.com

"Black Gold", A film about Coffee and Trade
Directed by Nick and Mark Francis
www.blackgoldmovie.com