Zaccai Curtis
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Zaccai Curtis | |
|---|---|
 Curtis in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | December 25, 1981 New York City, US |
| Genres | Jazz, Latin jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, composer |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Label | Truth Revolution |
| Website | Official website |
Zaccai Greg Curtis[1] (born December 25, 1981) is an American pianist and composer of Puerto Rican and African American descent.[2][3] He won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for his album Cubop Lives![4]
Curtis studied at Jackie McLean's Artists Collective school in Hartford, Connecticut.[5] Curtis founded Truth Revolution, a record label that he refers to as "Truth Revolution Recording Collective, a working community of artists".[6] The label issued Andy González's Entre Colegas, which was nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award.[6]
Curtis and his brother, bassist Luques, are part of The Curtis Brothers Band[7] (not to be confused with Michael and Richard Curtis, who also recorded as The Curtis Brothers).[8] Their music is strongly influenced by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers.[5]
The Curtis Brothers Band's first album, Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom, was followed around 2012 by Completion of Proof.[9] Their album Algorithm, released around 2019, featured trumpeter Brian Lynch, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, and drummer Ralph Peterson.[7] Zaccai wrote all of the compositions that appear on the recording.[7]
Curtis is also faculty at the University of Rhode Island, the Jackie McLean Institute at the HARTT School,[10] and Western Connecticut State University.[11]
