In 2002 Zach was a scholarship participant in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a selective jazz residency that “identifies outstanding, emerging artists and brings them together under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors.” It was in this context that he met bassist Matt Wigton and pianist Sam Barsh, two of Zach’s closest musical compatriots to date. A year later Zach self-produced his debut recording Zach Brock & The Coffee Achievers with Matt and Sam, as well as the drummer Nori Tanaka. The group featured compositions by Zach, Matt, and Sam and the CD was released on Secret Fort Records.
In 2005 The Coffee Achievers released their sophomore album Chemistry and made their Carnegie Hall debut as part of Dave Douglas’ Jazz workshop In Performance. A year later, through the generous referral of vocalist, pianist and composer Patricia Barber, The Coffee Achievers made their international debut at the Tudo é Jazz Festival in Ouro Preto, Brazil.
2007 saw big changes for both Zach, with his move from Chicago to New York, and for The Coffee Achievers, with their new drummer Jon Deitemyer. The current lineup for the band released Live At The Jazz Factory, which was also recorded by a four-camera film crew for a forthcoming DVD release, and was the first Coffee Achievers recording to feature compositions by all band members.
Sam Barsh grew up in the Chicago area and has been playing music since the age of 4, starting on piano, and expanding to organ, synthesizers, vintage keyboards, and melodica.
From 2003 through 2006, Barsh was a member of the renowned Avishai Cohen Trio. With Cohen, Barsh recorded 3 albums and a live DVD, performed at many of the world’s biggest jazz festivals and received much international acclaim.
Barsh has had the good fortune to perform with a diverse group of artists throughout his career, including Avishai Cohen, Cassandra Wilson, Jeff Parker, The Brand New Heavies, Robin Eubanks, Debbie Friedman, Branford Marsalis, Lonnie Plaxico, Christophe Schweizer, Robin McKelle, Dave Samuels (of Spyro Gyra), Ku’umba Frank Lacy, The Mighty Blue Kings, Eric Roberson, Omar Edwards, Mino Cinelu, Rez Abbasi, Kenny Wollessen, Nguyen Le, Ben Monder, Mark Guiliana, Robert Mwamba, Dan Weiss, Large Professor, Sadat X (from Brand Nubian), John Robinson aka Little Sci, among others.
Barsh is currently writing and producing music with Jesse Palter for their band The Alter Ego. He has also produced albums for Jennifer Lee Snowden, Ilana Martin, and Russ Nolan, and individual tracks for a variety of other artists. For more information, visit www.barshmusic.com.
Matt Wigton is a bassist, composer, and producer who currently resides in New York City. He has toured throughout much of the world in his 12 years as a professional musician and has recorded on over 30 records including Pamela’s 2005 Latin Grammy-Nominated record “Peru Blue.”
He co-wrote the title track “Taller Children” for Verve recording artist Elizabeth and The Catapult and has been featured on BBC as well as numerous publications, among which, the New York Times and Billboard Magazine.
He currently stays active as a sideman as well as writing and producing music for TV, Radio, and Film. For more information, visit www.mattwigton.com.
Jon Deitemyer is a graduate of the University of North Texas Jazz Program where he studied with Ed Soph, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Lynn Seaton, and Stefan Karlsson. He performs with a variety of artists such as Grazyna Auguscik, Patricia Barber, Sam Barsh, Stefan Karlsson, Greg Osby, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Lynn Seaton.
Jon can be heard on recordings with Jeff Greene, Grazyna Auguscik (GMA Records), Kelly Brand Nextet (Origin Records), Doug Stone, Jangeun Bae (Kang Music), Ben Paterson (OA2 Records), Greg Duncan (OA2 Records), Ji Young Lee (Kang Music), James Davis (Ears and Eyes), and Matt Ulery’s LOOM (Woolgathering Records). For more information, visit www.jondeitemyer.com.
Group Discography:
Live at the Jazz Factory
2007 Secret Fort Records
60203/60204
ZACH BROCK – acoustic 5-string violin
SAM BARSH – piano, Nord Electro, melodica
MATT WIGTON – acoustic and electric bass
JON DEITEMYER – drums
Chemistry
2005 Secret Fort Records
60202
ZACH BROCK – electric 5-string violin, acoustic violin, acoustic guitar, vocals
SAM BARSH – piano, Nord Electro, melodica, vocals
MATT WIGTON – acoustic and electric bass
NORI TANAKA – drums
MELISSA STYLIANOU – vocals
CRAIG TROMPETER – cello
Zach Brock & The Coffee Achievers
2003 Secret Fort Records
60201
ZACH BROCK – electric 5-string violin
SAM BARSH – piano
MATT WIGTON – acoustic bass
NORI TANAKA – drums
