Composer

Saxofonist

Accordionist

“One of the true masters of modern jazz saxophone” (All About Jazz), Michael Zilber is the most accomplished reedist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader working in the Bay Area. Following his SFJAZZ Hotplate performances with his Wayne Shorter/Weather Report tribute project Weather Wayne and a night with legendary drummer Mike Clark, the Vancouver, BC native returns with a superb band to honor the legacy of saxophone icon Joe Henderson.

Cutting his teeth on the New York scene in his early 20s where he was mentored by master saxophonist David Liebman, who remains a close collaborator, Zilber has amassed a stunning résumé that includes work with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Dave Douglas, Bob Berg, and Miroslav Vitous, among others. He has enjoyed a lengthy association with drummer Steve Smith and currently collaborates with the Bay Area-based trumpeter Erik Jekabson, bassist Kai Eckhardt, and the large group collective Electric Squeezbox Orchestra. He’s led or co-led over a dozen releases including his latest Sunnyside album Mike Drop, a collaboration with Clark that features pianist Matt Clark and bassist Peter Barshay.

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Michael Zilber

SFJAZZ Center

International Accordion Festival. For 18 years, the Akkordeonale has delighted audiences with musical variety and the unique power of the accordion. Under the new direction of Alex de Almeida, the festival becomes even more colorful in 2027: a sonic universe between tradition and modernity, between Brazilian forró, Eastern European melancholy and urban sounds.

Composer, Saxofonist, Accordionist

Michael Zilber

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 16, 2027

Akkordeonale · Kulturzentrum franz.K

Past events

Apr 21, 2024

Michael Zilber · San Francisco Jazz

About

Michael Zilber hasn't added a bio