Bandleader Bio
Born 1955, inside the rural area of Birmingham, Alabama known as "Cat Mountain". Zim first experienced music in the nearby woods with the birds and other sounds of nature. He took coffee cans from his grandmother and made drums so he could join the musical call of the elements.
In his pre-teens, Zim moved to Chicago, Il. with his mother and began his musical education with jazz drummer and singer Monte Micheaux. He started his first band "Inner Sanctum" with some musicians from South Shore H.S. Zim also played in concert & orchestra bands at his own high school - Bowen.
After graduating high school, Zim attended Berklee College of Music (Boston). There he encountered many great musicians including his professor: Joe Hunt and Alan Dawson. He also had the pleasure of spending time with Khalid Yasin aka Larry Young (the organist from the Tony Williams Lifetime Band) and Blood Ulmer. Zim also spent some time in New Orleans, LA at St. Xavier College. He had the pleasure of listening to one of the Xavier professors , Ellis Marsalis, and jamming at the club that he worked in called Lou & Charlies'.
By 1976, Zim was a regular on the Chicago Music Scene and played with many notable musicians. During 83' & 84', he spread his wings and went to New York City where he jammed with well-known figures in the music community, including his friend, Jaco Pastorius. When Zim returned to Chicago, he began his sojourn into the Chicago performance arena. This included a 7 year stint as a licensed Street Performer with Jerry Wilson and Brian Gephart at different intervals. The street corner of State & Randolph that Zim & Brian performed on was dubbed Groove Citi which later manifested itself into a original tune written by Zim, Brian and their friend Skuzzo. Performance on the streets of Chicago helped Zim's sensitivity and sense of dynamics. Other street performances included a stint with the One Family Band at Chicago's legendary Water Tower. These street school experiences have resonated with him throughout his career.
Zim's amazing journey into the world of music continues to this day.
Introducing the Last Funkateer .....
ZIMBABU
