Zak Astor – Pianist
Parents with a love for music, specifically Salsa music, educate, show, encourage, and guide their son to become one of the finest young Salsa piano players on the rise today.
At age 8 young Zak began to take Salsa piano lessons. On weekends he would take patron jam sessions with highly seasoned percussion players,always learning, always progressing.
At 13 he made his professional debut with the group La Picante. Zak has played with all the famous local Salsa Bandleaders such as Johnny Polanco, Al Gonzalez, Walter Segundo, Bobby Rodriguez, and Angel Lebron.
The following is Zak’s bio up to date.
Salsa-101
Zak Astor is a Pianist and vocalist who just took 1st place in the Wilshire Rotary Music competition. Zak attends Los Angeles County High School for the Arts an elite high school for the highly talented only by audition only.
Zak was born in Burbank, California on November 20th 1992. He was introduced to music at birth. The only music played at home was Bach, Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven and others to cultivate his musical talent.
Zak at age 2 was given a Xylophone, this was his 1st and best toy, later he was given a keyboard, a set of drums and a guitar. He could amuse himself for hours.
Zak entered Montessori pre-school at age 3 and began formal Classical piano lessons at age 4. His 1st recital was at age 5. At age 6 LAUSD identified him as Gifted/Highly Talented. At age 8 he began playing at public events.
Zak switched to Salsa Piano at age 9 and then added
Jazz piano at age 10 at which time he passed the audition for JazzAmerica a program that provides Jazz Master classes to highly gifted high school musicians.
In September of 2003 he entered Millikan Music Academy a select Middle School by audition only, and began attending Plaza de La Raza School of Performing Arts taking classes in Salsa Piano, Music Theory,
Songwriting, and Voice. He also began playing in their Salsa Band and Rock Band. At this time he was featured on the KABC Channel 7 weekly Vista LA show with Jovanna Lara.
In September of 2004 Zak transferred to Pacoima Middle School to join the LAUSD #1 Middle School Jazz Band under Music Director George Carganilla who was also the director of the USAF Jazz Band and who had regularly performed at the White House. There he attended Jazz Master classes provided by The Thelonious Monk Institute on a weekly basis, and received private Jazz piano lessons at The Thelonious Monk Institute on the USC Campus, he also then began attending Cal Arts Institute Saturday music workshops taking classes in Advanced music theory and harmony, Jazz Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and Music recording science (ProTools HD)
In the summer of 2005 he attended the Henry Mancini Institute Summer Jazz Program and attended jazz workshops at the World Stage in Leimert Park.
In September of 2006 he entered Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Majoring in Jazz Piano and Voice.
At age 13 he began playing in Salsa Night clubs with the local Salsa Bands, by age 16 he had already played with all the top Salsa Bands including Bobby Rodriguez, Johnny Polanco, Angel Lebron, Salsa Caliente, Walter Segundo.
At 16 he formed his own Salsa Band named Latin Music Power.
Zak has played at all the top clubs and venues including but not limited to The Mayan, The Granada, El Cid, Stevens Steak house, Rumba Room, ect… Disney Concert Hall, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, ect…
Zak is also featured on a Documentary by Famed Documentary filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy.
Zak, has won a long list of Awards, Competitions and Scholarships.
Zak will be going into the studio in January of 2010 to record original material.
Zak Astor is a Pianist and vocalist who just took 1st place in the Wilshire Rotary Music competition. Zak attends Los Angeles County High School for the Arts an elite high school for the highly talented only by audition only.Zak was born in Burbank, California on November 20th 1992. He was introduced to music at birth. The only music played at home was Bach, Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven and others to cultivate his musical talent.Zak at age 2 was given a Xylophone, this was his 1st and best toy, later he was given a keyboard, a set of drums and a guitar. He could amuse himself for hours.Zak entered Montessori pre-school at age 3 and began formal Classical piano lessons at age 4. His 1st recital was at age 5. At age 6 LAUSD identified him as Gifted/Highly Talented. At age 8 he began playing at public events.Zak switched to Salsa Piano at age 9 and then addedJazz piano at age 10 at which time he passed the audition for JazzAmerica a program that provides Jazz Master classes to highly gifted high school musicians.In September of 2003 he entered Millikan Music Academy a select Middle School by audition only, and began attending Plaza de La Raza School of Performing Arts taking classes in Salsa Piano, Music Theory,Songwriting, and Voice. He also began playing in their Salsa Band and Rock Band. At this time he was featured on the KABC Channel 7 weekly Vista LA show with Jovanna Lara.In September of 2004 Zak transferred to Pacoima Middle School to join the LAUSD #1 Middle School Jazz Band under Music Director George Carganilla who was also the director of the USAF Jazz Band and who had regularly performed at the White House. There he attended Jazz Master classes provided by The Thelonious Monk Institute on a weekly basis, and received private Jazz piano lessons at The Thelonious Monk Institute on the USC Campus, he also then began attending Cal Arts Institute Saturday music workshops taking classes in Advanced music theory and harmony, Jazz Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and Music recording science (ProTools HD)In the summer of 2005 he attended the Henry Mancini Institute Summer Jazz Program and attended jazz workshops at the World Stage in Leimert Park.In September of 2006 he entered Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Majoring in Jazz Piano and Voice.At age 13 he began playing in Salsa Night clubs with the local Salsa Bands, by age 16 he had already played with all the top Salsa Bands including Bobby Rodriguez, Johnny Polanco, Angel Lebron, Salsa Caliente, Walter Segundo.At 16 he formed his own Salsa Band named Latin Music Power.Zak has played at all the top clubs and venues including but not limited to The Mayan, The Granada, El Cid, Stevens Steak house, Rumba Room, ect… Disney Concert Hall, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, ect…Zak is also featured on a Documentary by Famed Documentary filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy.Zak, has won a long list of Awards, Competitions and Scholarships. Zak will be going into the studio in January of 2010 to record original material.
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