The Jazz Artisan w/ Zenon Zadravec
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, host Eathan Jenney welcomes jazz pianist, saxophonist, and composer Zen Zadravec. They reflect on Zen’s journey from early piano lessons in Winnipeg to advanced studies at Rutgers with jazz legends Kenny Barron and Stanley Cowell. Zen shares insights into comping techniques, left-hand development, and rhythmic exercises that shape his playing.
They also explore his disciplined yet flexible practice routine, his relationship with acoustic pianos (including his beloved Yamaha C3), and his aspirations toward becoming a Yamaha artist. Zen discusses composition as an extension of improvisation, plays selections from his recordings, and previews material from his upcoming project, Zen: The New Paradigm.
The conversation also touches on his move from New Jersey to Detroit, the city’s rich musical history, and the importance of building strong relationships with piano technicians. With candor and humor, Zen demonstrates how daily practice, deep listening, and creative trust form the foundation of his artistry.
About:
Zen Zadravec is a Canadian-born jazz pianist and composer. A recipient of two Oscar Peterson Awards, he studied jazz at York University and earned his Master’s in Jazz Performance at Rutgers under Kenny Barron. His projects include the Zen Zadravec Quartet and Human Revolution. Zen has performed with leading jazz musicians worldwide and appeared on major shows with artists like Gloria Gaynor. His forthcoming album, Zen: The New Paradigm, features all-original compositions exploring jazz, fusion, and beyond.
About:
Zen Zadravec is a Canadian-born jazz pianist and composer. A recipient of two Oscar Peterson Awards, he studied jazz at York University and earned his Master’s in Jazz Performance at Rutgers under Kenny Barron. His projects include the Zen Zadravec Quartet and Human Revolution. Zen has performed with leading jazz musicians worldwide and appeared on major shows with artists like Gloria Gaynor. His forthcoming album, Zen: The New Paradigm, features all-original compositions exploring jazz, fusion, and beyond.
𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗
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Creators and Guests
Host
Eathan Janney
Eathan has 20 years of experience as a piano technician. He studied with Dave Miller, the staff piano technician for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dave Carpenter, the inventor of the Verituner electronic tuning device, provided mentorship for Eathan in Chicago. Eathan also worked with Ken Eschete and Bill Schwarts, the staff piano technicians at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 2009, he founded Floating Piano Factory of New York, a company that allows piano technicians to move from Apprentice to Craftsman level while offering value pricing to clients as technicians progress toward mastery. In 2017 he founded Piano Technicians Masterclasses, an online project designed to offer cutting-edge instruction from piano industry masters to anyone on the globe with an internet connection.
Guest
Zenon Zadravec
Zen Zadravec is a Canadian-born jazz pianist and composer. A recipient of two Oscar Peterson Awards, he studied jazz at York University and earned his Master’s in Jazz Performance at Rutgers under Kenny Barron. His projects include the Zen Zadravec Quartet and Human Revolution. Zen has performed with leading jazz musicians worldwide and appeared on major shows with artists like Gloria Gaynor. His forthcoming album, Zen: The New Paradigm, features all-original compositions exploring jazz, fusion, and beyond.