Writing in the Boston Phoenix, author Norman Weinstein (“A Night in Tunisia”) declared that “Bobby Zankel deserves any Talent Deserving Wider Recognition Award that the jazz press might offer”. In reviewing “Emerging From The Earth”, the Jazz Times wrote,” He’s headed to status as a prime jazz innovator.”  But who is Bobby Zankel, and where has he been?

The Brooklyn-born composer/saxophonist first began attracting attention in the early 70’s for his work with Cecil Taylor’s “Unit Core Ensemble” (Downbeat 9/71) as a “skillful young altoist with a powerful music at his fingertips”. His underground reputation grew on the New York “Loft Scene”, where he performed with the likes of Ray Anderson, William Parker, and Sunny Murray and where he continued his apprenticeship with Taylor.

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