Ziad – Tenor saxophonist based in Charlotte, NC has recorded with national artists including, The Godfather of Soul James Brown, Gospel Music Hall of Fame Recording Artist “John P. Kee”, Chart Topping Gospel Recording Artist “Donald Lawrence and the Tri– City Singers”, Giant Warner Recording Artists “Company”, the “Impressions” and many more.
He has performed live with or performed as an opening act for Ramsey Lewis, Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Laws, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Buddy Rich, Tom Scott, Tony Bennett, The Crusaders, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Grammy winning smooth jazz artist Greg Karukas, Jon Smith (Edgar Winter & White Trash), Mic Gillette (Tower of Power), Edwin McCain, Ron Holloway, Greg Karukas, Russell Malone, Nnenna Freelon, Frederic Yonnet, Chris Brubeck, T.S. Monk III and Nicolas Bearde to name a few.
During his four years in the Wake Forest University Jazz Ensemble, graduating with a degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Ziad studied jazz theory with Bill Hanna (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman). He went on to study advanced jazz improvisation for 3.5 years privately with internationally acclaimed educator/author/musician, Jerry Coker, (author of 19 books on jazz improvisation), at University of Tennessee, Knoxville