Jimmy 'Z' Zavala
Encyclopedia
Jimmy 'Z' Zavala is an American musician. While still in his teens, the saxophonist (known by his nickname as Jimmy Z) frequented nightspots in his hometown of Sacramento, California
, often sporting his trademark dark sunglasses. During this time, he was introduced to the mouth harp and harmonica music of Little Walter
and Taj Mahal
.
Zavala went on to become a favorite in many Northern California
clubs. When he took up saxophone
during a three-year period with various blues bands, he entered the world of rock n'roll. Influenced by Junior Walker and King Curtis
, Zavala then began making a name for himself during a six-year stint of non-stop touring.
Zavala left roadwork behind when he moved to Los Angeles
in 1980. His band members wouldn't follow, so he set out on his own. While jamming at the Central Club on LA's Sunset Strip
, he came to the attention of Rod Stewart
band members Robin Le Mesurier and Jim Cregan
, who later suggested Zavala when Stewart required a sax
player. Stewart was impressed with Jimmy Z's proficiency on harmonica
and flute
as well as saxophone
, so he was instantly became one of the boys in the band. In addition to his work with Stewart's group, Jimmy teamed up with Kevin Savigar on a session for John Cougar. He has also worked with Les Dudek
, ex-Knack
guitarist, Douf Fieger, The Rockets
and Ronnie Wood.
He then played with the Eurythmics
for a number of years. His harmonica
is featured in their song "Missionary Man
," which is included in a list of harmonica solos.
Zavala also performed onstage with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
for Bob Geldof
's Live Aid
concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia in 1985, as well as the Southern Accents tour. He became one of the more sought after session players in Los Angeles. Other artists Jimmy Zavala has performed and/or recorded with include Dr. Dre
, Willy DeVille
, Rick Springfield
, Carole King
, Eric Burdon
, Rita Coolidge
, Thomas Dolby, "Weird Al" Yankovic
, Yes
, Rick Price
, Corey Hart and Shakespears Sister
.
Jimmy Z's album Muzical Madness from 1991 was produced by hip hop
producer Dr. Dre
. Dre was also featured rapping on the album's single "Funky Flute".
He played harmonica
in "Ghetto Cowboy" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
.
In 1997, Jimmy joined the legendary Etta James
, becoming a member of her Roots Band. He toured with her for over 10 years (with some breaks) and recorded with her on 6 albums and a live DVD.
With ZTribe, his all-star group of session players, he released the blues CD "Caught Inside" in 2003.
He recorded harmonica and sax with legendary Mexican Group Jaguares
on their award winning 2002 album "Primero Instinto". He played harmonica solo on their hit single "Te Lo Pido Por Favor" (the Juan Gabriel
classic). He toured with them from 2002 - 2004.
In the fall of 2010, he toured Sweden with Swedish Bluesman Slidin' Slim.
Today, he continues to be in demand for recording sessions. He also produces records and songs for other artists, composes soundtracks and commercials, and teaches harmonica
and saxophone
from his studio in Los Angeles.
He plays with his own band, Jimmy Z and the ZTribe, mostly in Southern California.
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, often sporting his trademark dark sunglasses. During this time, he was introduced to the mouth harp and harmonica music of Little Walter
Little Walter
Little Walter, born Marion Walter Jacobs , was an American blues harmonica player, whose revolutionary approach to his instrument has earned him comparisons to Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix, for innovation and impact on succeeding generations...
and Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
.
Zavala went on to become a favorite in many Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
clubs. When he took up saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
during a three-year period with various blues bands, he entered the world of rock n'roll. Influenced by Junior Walker and King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
, Zavala then began making a name for himself during a six-year stint of non-stop touring.
Zavala left roadwork behind when he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1980. His band members wouldn't follow, so he set out on his own. While jamming at the Central Club on LA's Sunset Strip
Sunset Strip
The Sunset Strip is the name given to the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood, California. It extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with Hollywood at Harper Avenue, to its western border with Beverly Hills at Sierra Drive...
, he came to the attention of Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
band members Robin Le Mesurier and Jim Cregan
Jim Cregan
Jim Cregan, born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset, England is an English rock guitarist and bassist who best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer...
, who later suggested Zavala when Stewart required a sax
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player. Stewart was impressed with Jimmy Z's proficiency on harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
as well as saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, so he was instantly became one of the boys in the band. In addition to his work with Stewart's group, Jimmy teamed up with Kevin Savigar on a session for John Cougar. He has also worked with Les Dudek
Les Dudek
Les Dudek is an American guitarist.-Early years:Les Dudek's father, Harold, was born in Campbell, Nebraska, and was a World War II veteran in the United States Navy. His mother, Alma, born in Brooklyn, was a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Les has one older sister, Sandy, who was born in...
, ex-Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
guitarist, Douf Fieger, The Rockets
The Rockets (band)
The Rockets are an American rock band from Detroit, Michigan founded by guitarist Jimmy McCarty and drummer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, both former members of the group Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels....
and Ronnie Wood.
He then played with the Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
for a number of years. His harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
is featured in their song "Missionary Man
Missionary Man (Eurythmics song)
"Missionary Man" is a song by the British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was taken from their sixth album, Revenge, and continued the band's rock/R&B musical style of the time and featured Jimmy Zavala on harmonica....
," which is included in a list of harmonica solos.
Zavala also performed onstage with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
for Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof
Robert Frederick Zenon "Bob" Geldof, KBE is an Irish singer, songwriter, author, occasional actor and political activist. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats in the late 1970s and early 1980s alongside the punk rock movement. The band had hits with his...
's Live Aid
Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia in 1985, as well as the Southern Accents tour. He became one of the more sought after session players in Los Angeles. Other artists Jimmy Zavala has performed and/or recorded with include Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary...
, Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield is an Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a member of pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971 and then started his solo career with his début single "Speak to the Sky" reaching the top 10 in Australia. In mid-1972, he relocated to the United States...
, Carole King
Carole King
Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
, Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
, Thomas Dolby, "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Rick Price
Rick Price
Rick Price is an Australian singer and songwriter.-Early life:Price was born in Beaudesert, a small country town near Brisbane, Queensland. He began playing music at the age of nine appearing with his family band "Union Beau". "It was kinda weird I guess...
, Corey Hart and Shakespears Sister
Shakespears Sister
Shakespears Sister/Shakespear's Sister is a British-based synth-pop-rock band formed by Irish-born singer–songwriter Siobhan Fahey in 1988, with plaudits including a BRIT Award and Ivor Novello Award. It was Fahey's first musical outing since leaving Bananarama, and initially a solo project...
.
Jimmy Z's album Muzical Madness from 1991 was produced by hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
producer Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. Dre was also featured rapping on the album's single "Funky Flute".
He played harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
in "Ghetto Cowboy" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
.
In 1997, Jimmy joined the legendary Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
, becoming a member of her Roots Band. He toured with her for over 10 years (with some breaks) and recorded with her on 6 albums and a live DVD.
With ZTribe, his all-star group of session players, he released the blues CD "Caught Inside" in 2003.
He recorded harmonica and sax with legendary Mexican Group Jaguares
Jaguares (rock band)
Jaguares is a Mexican alternative rock band formed by former Caifanes lead singer Saúl Hernández, ex-Caifan Alfonso André , and two long-time friends Federico Fong and José Manuel Aguilera .-History:...
on their award winning 2002 album "Primero Instinto". He played harmonica solo on their hit single "Te Lo Pido Por Favor" (the Juan Gabriel
Juan Gabriel
Alberto Aguilera Valadez , better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel , is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music....
classic). He toured with them from 2002 - 2004.
In the fall of 2010, he toured Sweden with Swedish Bluesman Slidin' Slim.
Today, he continues to be in demand for recording sessions. He also produces records and songs for other artists, composes soundtracks and commercials, and teaches harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
from his studio in Los Angeles.
He plays with his own band, Jimmy Z and the ZTribe, mostly in Southern California.
Discography
- Anytime...Anyplace! (1988)
- Muzical MadnessMuzical MadnessMuzical Madness is the second album by rock/funk musician, Jimmy Z. The album was released on January 1, 1991 for Ruthless Records and was produced by Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and Jimmy Z. This album is one of the few, if not the only album released by Ruthless Records that is not entirely hip hop based...
(1991) - Caught Inside (2003)
- Corazón Y Alma de un Jaguar (The Heart and Soul of a Jaguar) (2004)