Spencer Zahn
Spencer Zahn is a bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Since moving to New York in the mid-2000s, Spencer has worked as an in-demand sideman and collaborator, touring and recording with artists from across a wide musical spectrum. Zahn’s career as a solo artist began later, around the same time he started playing with like-minded guitarist Dave Harrington, in 2015.
Zahn’s first two solo albums, 2018’s People of the Dawn and 2019’s When We Were Brand New, were born out of solitary synth experiments, melding his jazz background with a warm electronic pulse. His new album Sunday Painter, released in September 2020, is a refined step forward for the New York City-based musician — a lush collection of instrumental songs that undulate along waves of jazz, ambient pop, Americana, and neo-classical.
Releases
Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present “ The Harvest”, the debut recording from trio Spencer Zahn, Jacob Bergson, and Austin Tufts. Recorded over a weekend in Montreal, the three musicians approached the session without any preconceived ideas of what they wanted to create.
The result is a fully-realized record from three skilled players responding to one another live in the studio, effortlessly gliding through ambient post-rock and jazz. Tufts’ driving rhythms, Bergson’s soaring synthesizers, and Zahn’s melodic bass on ‘Mile X’ provide a beautiful opener, whilst the grounded and utterly beautiful ‘The Harvest’ creates a moment of all-encompassing stillness.
This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.
Buy on Bandcamp
TRACKLISTING:
A. Mile X
B. The Harvest
–
Released October 30, 2020
Spencer Zahn - bass
Jacob Bergson - keys
Austin Tufts - drums
Produced & Mixed by Martin Crane
Mastered by Joe Lambert
Recorded at Studio Toute Garnie (Montréal, Canada)
Artwork by Georgia Hill
Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present “ Chrysanthemum”, two spontaneous piano improvisations by composer and bandleader, Erik Deutsch; directed, sculpted, and accompanied by Spencer Zahn.
Sparseness, beauty, and freedom define Deutch and Zahn’s creative output, which was formed over a mutual admiration for Thelonious Monk’s Solo Monk LP. With his first solo improvisational recording in a 25-year career, Deutsch combines his extensive experience in the free-music realm with inspiration from the likes of Alice Coltrane and Bill Evans.
This release is part of an ongoing series that aims to capture the New York City jazz scene in its current, always evolving form.
Buy on Bandcamp
TRACKLISTING:
A. Chrysanthemum
B. Ripple Pattern
–
Released October 30, 2020
Erik Deutsch - piano
Spencer Zahn - synthesizers (on Ripple Pattern)
Produced & Mixed by Spencer Zahn
Mastered by Joe Lambert
Recorded at Caracolia (Mexico City, Mexico)
Engineered by Victoria Reed