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Ziggurat Quartet
The Ziggurat Quartet features four innovative jazz improvisers performing all original compositions. A passion for rhythmic experimentation drives the ensemble’s complex original compositions; many of the pieces are deeply influenced by the rhythms of East Indian music, as well as jazz and contemporary chamber music. Coupled with strong improvising, the result is a mix of music that is engaging, spontaneous, and compelling. Members of the quartet bring personal voices and broad aesthetic horizons to the ensemble, together charting new directions for jazz quartet.
Seattle native BILL ANSCHELL returned to the Emerald City in 2002 after spending 25 years studying, composing, and performing across the country and around the world. He left Seattle after high school, studying for two years at Oberlin College (Ohio), then earning his Music Degree from Wesleyan University (Connecticut). After leading the life of a jazz vagabond for several years, Anschell settled in Atlanta in 1989. He was initially drawn there by the opportunity to serve as Jazz Coordinator for the Southern Arts Federation (SAF), creating SAF’s jazz program virtually from scratch. At night he dove headlong into the city’s thriving jazz scene, working as a sideman with various groups and leading his own trio. Over the next ten years, Anschell ascended the jazz ranks in Atlanta, leading his trio at major festivals and becoming a first-call accompanist for visiting jazz greats.
During the same period, Anschell enjoyed a lengthy association with vocalist Nnenna Freelon, serving as her pianist, arranger, composer, and musical director. He was featured as pianist and arranger throughout her 1996 Concord release Shaking Free, which was nominated for a Grammy as the year’s best jazz vocal recording. Anschell’s own CDs have earned critical acclaim and widespread exposure, with the last three discs all making Jazzweek’s national “Top 50” chart for radio airplay. His latest CD, More to the Ear than Meets the Eye, was chosen by numerous critics and radio stations across the country for their “10 Best of 2006” lists. Anschell received a Golden Ear Award as the “Best Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist” of 2005, and his trio was named “Best Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble” of 2006.
Saxophonist ERIC BARBER has been recognized as part of a generation of artists whose artistic voice and output defy categorization. Barber has developed a unique approach to the saxophone, integrating influences from jazz, Balkan and Indian music with a personal vocabulary of extended saxophone techniques. His versatility, unique approach to the saxophone and artistic fearlessness have made him a regular collaborator with some of the most innovative and unconventional figures in new music today, including Nels Cline, Mark Dresser, Vinny Golia, Wayne Horvitz, Art Jarvinen, Steuart Liebig, Poovalur Srinivasan, Wadada Leo Smith, Miroslav Tadic, Tom Varner, Nate Wooley, and Glen Velez.
Eric grew up in Eugene and majored in music at the University of Oregon. He moved in 1997 to attend graduate school at California Institute of the Arts, and immediately became immersed in the thriving Los Angeles jazz and world music scenes. Since moving from Los Angeles to Seattle in 2004, Eric has been sought after in Northwest creative music, being the subject of a feature article in the April 2006 Earshot Jazz magazine. In addition to Ziggurat, he leads his own avant-jazz trio and improvising chamber quartet, as well as performing in French hornist Tom Varner’s jazz and chamber projects. His first commercial release, the solo saxophone CD Maybeck Constructions (2004), received positive reviews from around the globe. Solo or with a group, Eric explores the full sonic capabilities of his saxophones, fusing complex rhythmic structures and multiphonics with a keen ear and compositional sensibility. He lives in Shoreline, Washington with his wife Joy and two children, Ezra and Simone.
DOUG MILLER is an active jazz bassist, composer and teacher living in the Seattle area. Before moving to Seattle, he played professionally in New York City and Indianapolis. He has toured with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Ellington Orchestra (under the direction of Mercer Ellington), Ernestine Anderson and New Stories, including performances in Japan, Russia, Luxembourg and Canada. He has also performed with Mel Lewis, James Moody, George Cables, Pete Christlieb, Mark Murphy, Marvin Stamm, Don Sickler, Julian Priester, Karrin Allyson, Ralph Towner, Bobby Porcelli, Dick Hyman, Bobby Shew, Ken Peplowski, Ray Vega, Jim Rotondi and many other jazz greats.
Doug has also performed in concert with trumpeter Allen Vizzutti in a mixture of composed music as well as jazz standards. CD credits include Lopin’ (Don Lanphere and Bud Shank, Hep records),Get Happy (Don Lanphere and Pete Christlieb, Origin Records) Don Still Loves Midge (Don Lanphere, Hep Records) Where Do You Start (Don Lanphere,Origin), Circled By Hounds , Remember Why, Speakin’ Out , Hope is in the Air: The Music of Elmo Hope (New Stories, Origin) Neighbors , 11:11 (Big Neighborhood, Origin), 360 Degrees (Jay Thomas, Hep Records) Notoriety (Marius Nordal, Origin) and the Grammy-nominated Song for The Geese (Mark Murphy, RCA-BMG).Many of his compositions are featured on the New Stories CD’s as well as the Big Neighborhood CD’s and several Don Lanphere recordings. Additionally, he has composed eclectic music for orchestra. Doug also served as the Jazz Bass Instructor at the University of Washington from 1995-2004.
BYRON VANNOY has worked steadily as a performer and educator on both the East and West coasts playing, recording and composing a wide variety of music. He has performed and recorded with many internationally known musicians such as Julian Priester, Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker, Tom Scott, Ray Vega, Greg Adams, Ernestine Anderson, Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, Vinny Golia, Jim Knapp, and Hadley Caliman. Currently an Associate Professor at North Seattle Community College, and faculty instructor at The Seattle Drum School, Byron also conducts workshops in the Seattle and Los Angeles areas.
In addition, Byron has recorded for nationally broadcast television programs as well as radio spots for the BBC. He has studied privately with Ian Froman, Mark Ivester, Bob Moses, and Joe LaBarbera. He holds an Associate Certificate in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance from Cornish College of the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Jazz and African American Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts. Byron was awarded the 2002 Earshot Award winner “Record of the Year” and “Jazz Group of the Year” for his contribution on Julian Priester’s “In Deep End Dance”.
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