Zachary Finnegan

Description

Zach is regarded as a rising-star trumpet artist based in Chicago, IL. He is currently on a world tour with 5-time Grammy Award winner, Michael Bublé, playing arenas and venues around the world. He has appeared on 11 albums and has played in the bands of renowned musicians such as the Buddy Rich Big Band, Christy Bennett, Jared Thompson, Camila Mennitte, Blueshift Big Band, Meghan Stagl, Carrington Clinton, and has shared the bandstand with the likes of Matt Ulery, Lenard Simpson, Thaddeus Tukes, Rob Dixon, and Marlene Rosenberg. Zach previously founded two bands entitled, "Crossroads Quintet," and, "Omnos Quartet." Crossroads Quintet's debut album, Intertwined, released May of 2020 on the Midwest Crush Music Label. Omnos Quartet recorded their debut album in 2018 in Wausau, WI and had a release tour the following year. Along with his freelance work in the midwest, he is a sideman in the popular hip-hop/jazz-fusion band, "Clint Breeze and the Groove." Zach's groups have played multiple festivals, most notably opening for Dave Liebman at the Riverfront Jazz Festival in 2017. He has headlined the Bull Falls Jazz Festival, and the Taste of Bloomington Festival. Other festivals he has performed at are the Indy Jazz Fest, CHREECE Festival, B'town Jazz Fest, Ear Taxi Festival and Feast of Lanterns Festival. Zach has traveled as a solo guest artist with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music Tour in various venues across seven European countries.

Work Sample

The Movement, January 2023, 8 min and 38 sec. Original composition written in honor of my Dad.

The Angel Tribute, January 2023, 3 min and 50 sec. Written for a family member that unexpectedly passed. This tune carries a lot of weight, emotion, and grief yet also portrays fond memories and experiences from when that person was in my life.

Work SamUrban Motion, January 2023, 7 min and 25 sec. This tune was written about 18th Street in the neighborhood of Pilsen. I've been able to call this home for the past three years and I've grown so fond of this area of the city.

The work samples I applied with are exact examples of writing that combine the multiple different elements I have described above. One work sample is about a person who changed my life, one work sample about a person that was taken too soon, and one work sample that reflects the world I live in in Pilsen, Chicago, IL. Each of them have specific compositional elements that are pulled from many different genres and you will hear that when you listen.

History

Zach is regarded as a rising-star trumpet artist based in Chicago, IL. He is currently on a world tour with 5-time Grammy Award winner, Michael Bublé, playing arenas and venues around the world. He has appeared on 11 albums and has played in the bands of renowned musicians such as the Buddy Rich Big Band, Christy Bennett, Jared Thompson, Camila Mennitte, Blueshift Big Band, Meghan Stagl, Carrington Clinton, and has shared the bandstand with the likes of Matt Ulery, Lenard Simpson, Thaddeus Tukes, Rob Dixon, and Marlene Rosenberg. Zach previously founded two bands entitled, "Crossroads Quintet," and, "Omnos Quartet." Crossroads Quintet's debut album, Intertwined, released May of 2020 on the Midwest Crush Music Label. Omnos Quartet recorded their debut album in 2018 in Wausau, WI and had a release tour the following year. Along with his freelance work in the midwest, he is a sideman in the popular hip-hop/jazz-fusion band, "Clint Breeze and the Groove." Zach's groups have played multiple festivals, most notably opening for Dave Liebman at the Riverfront Jazz Festival in 2017. He has headlined the Bull Falls Jazz Festival, and the Taste of Bloomington Festival. Other festivals he has performed at are the Indy Jazz Fest, CHREECE Festival, B'town Jazz Fest, Ear Taxi Festival and Feast of Lanterns Festival. Zach has traveled as a solo guest artist with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music Tour in various venues across seven European countries.

Artistic Vision

My vision is to combine the jazz tradition, cinematic and orchestral writing, as well as aspects of gospel and groove music to attain a deep emotional and moving response to all of my listeners. By crossing this genre threshold, it culminates in new and refreshing music that is palatable to all kinds of audiences. The music touches on topic of loss, tragedy, new beginnings, and the world that we live in today.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I have played and worked with audiences and students of all ages.