About
Zack’s musical journey began in church, where his mother was a choir director. It was this early and constant exposure to music that allowed Zack’s passion to grow. Playing piano by ear at the age of 4, his mom recognized that he had a gift & enrolled him in piano lessons. Zack studied classical piano for a dozen years before studying straight-ahead jazz in high school.
In high school, Zack excelled both as a percussionist and pianist. He was a 3-time all-state percussionist and won numerous awards at high school jazz festivals for outstanding solos as a pianist. In 2003, as a Junior, he played with Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano at the historic Mt. Hood Jazz festival.
As a student & recent graduate at the University of Oregon, Zack played keyboard & piano for the 2-time Disney National Gospel Fest champion gospel music program. Zack studied with program director & producer Cedric Weary, who Zack credits for much of his musical growth & success.
Today, Zack is a highly-sought after keyboardist for touring & session work. He’s also the co-founder and director of the New Vision Gospel Choir, as well as the premier instructional piano series, PianoDoneRight.com.
N’Touch is the hottest Smooth Jazz ensemble in the Northwest, entertaining thousands at music festivals, clubs, and private events. They’re a smooth combination of funky R&B, Smooth Jazz, and gospel. The band, led by tenor saxophonist Eldon ‘T’ Jones, is comprised of veteran musicians who have traveled the world with hit-making artists. On bass is Detroit native Ben Jones (The Neville Brothers, Patrick Lamb, Jeff Lorber, Darren Rahn, Paul Brown, BB King, Robert Cray). The drummer is Anthony Jones (Pink Martini, Patrick Lamb, Darren Rahn, Mike Phillips, Yolanda Adams). Rounding out the rhythm section is Tomo Maruta on guitar (Tracey Harris, Doo Doo Funk All-stars, Excellent Gentlemen).
Over the years, N’ Touch has shared the stage with Gerald Albright, Earth Wind & Fire, Boney James, and Tower of Power. Be on the lookout in early 2013 for N’ Touch’s new studio album!
Voted ‘The hottest dance band on the west coast’ by Gigmasters, the Essentials have been wowing crowds since 2004 with a powerful 9-piece band and a powerful blend of Soul, Funk, and R&B. From the band’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning original music, to its huge book of classic covers, everyone has a reason to enjoy the essentials.
The band’s debut self-titled album slotted #1 on national independent music leader CD Baby’s editor’s list for funk and #1 on its list for soul. The group has played dozens of nightclubs from Seattle to San Francisco, headlined blues and folk festivals, and opened for national acts of all different styles, from Rock and Roll (Leon Russell) to Pop Rock (Super Diamond) to Swing (The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies). The band has played private events for everyone from wedding couples to the Seattle Symphony, and performed for the University of Oregon football crowd during the most highly-attended game in the state’s history.
Do something that makes you feel good. Hip yourself to The Essentials.
Founded in 2011 by Zack & Samuel Wilson, the New Vision Gospel Choir is one of the premier gospel music ensembles in Portland. The powerful 12-voice choir has wowed audiences at it’s twice-yearly concerts, held on Easter & Christmas weekends, at New Vision Fellowship church.
The band is comprised of veteran gospel musicians: N’ Touch’s Ben Jones on Bass, N’ Touch’s T Jones playing a soulful & heart-warming tenor saxophone, Daniel Hailey on drums, and N’ Touch’s Tomo Maruta on guitar.
From 2006-2011, Zack was the full-time pianist for one of the nation’s top collegiate gospel programs; the University of Oregon Gospel singers. In 2010, the UO Gospel singers won their first national championship, the Disney National Gospel Choir Fest. Later that night, they had the honor of performing later at the Disney Night of Joy in front of several thousand people. Grammy-winning gospel artist Smokie Norful opened for the choir.
In 2011, the UO Gospel Singers defended their title and won the 2011 Disney National Gospel Choir Fest, again performing in front of thousands at the Disney Night of Joy. The picture above is from the 2011 Night of Joy. Smokie Norful joined the choir for a group picture.
Today, Zack plays keys for the UO Gospel Singers at competitions and traveling shows.
Partnering with one of the industry’s leading online marketing firms, Limelight Department, Zack is the co-founder of PianoDoneRight.com, the leading resource online that teaches people to play the piano like a pro!