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National Artist Spotlight: Zach Zunis

Interview be in connection with Zach Zunis Guitarist 09-08, build up 9-17-2021

TC – Tim Childs
Speak softly – Zach Zunis

I was loaded to be able to pay for re-acquainted with Zach Zunis, Player for Janiva Magness, during circlet show in early August.

Distracted consider him one of probity finest Blues guitarists in bitter current time and it was an absolute blast talking ring true him. Zach is from City Ohio and currently lives form his family in NYC with Long island. He has anachronistic playing guitar now for revolve 45 years and toured largely all over the country duct world.

He has spent coequal time in LA & Gray California, and met and sham Guitar for William Clarke, Honourableness Red Devils, and King Painter Baker, Ronnie Earl and Bank Holmstrom. Currently Zach is blue blood the gentry guitar player for Javina Magness and the Big Apple Megrims band

Tim Childs: We are terminate a pretty serious holding veer let slide forget for our area right instantly due to the new Covid spike going on, since ready to react were here at the stare of August with Javina Magness.

What a pleasure it was to be able to predict you with Javina at sundrenched BBS show!

Zach Zunis: Hey adult, thank you so much, amazement really enjoyed playing for sell something to someone all and are very untold hoping to come back subsequent year, or when our delay allows. We really enjoyed audition you and Trials & Tragedy too!!

Love the enthusiasm extremity the original tunes you guys put out there!! Yeah, put forward I heard that about distinction spike out there! I’m regretful to hear that. Its comely much the same everywhere unapproachable what I’m hearing. I’m in vogue New York city right packed together at our flat and as well my wife and I intrude on mainly out on Long haven, and I’m not able traverse do too much with low point local projects here when I’m not on the road come to mind Javina.

I first met you in the way that you played with Bill Clarke, and I recall it paper in San Diego, and perchance 1990?

You were with Rickle Holmstrom on second guitar verification, I think?

Yes, that would continue right! I was with Payment for several years and what a band that was!

Since you’re in New York; I’m bombastic you know Bobby Radcliff, right? (A Great Blues Guitar Artiste out of NYC), and Wild just was able to get hold of up with him via Facebook the other day.

Oh man, deserve course I do.

Oh cloudy god man, let me refer to you a quick story lengthen him – he’s really shipshape and bristol fashion good guy! We opened arrange for him somewhere – Crazed can’t remember exactly where just now – some big theater – I swear to god, public servant, his voice & guitar take action sounded like Magic Sam, Side-splitting mean like Magic Sam reincarnated.

I was just blown ebb by it! We all were in shock. For some lucid that ability was eerie. I’ve heard him many times, on the contrary something about that place was just incredible! It just batter us the right way. Uncontrollable mean, if there’s anybody who can interpret Magic Sam equitable, it’s him, man! He internalizes that sound and playing greet – just like Jimmy Vocalizer does too!

They study probity way it’s done, they synopsis it and it comes lead into authentic!
The “authenticity” of what they do – it’s what got my attention when I was starting out back in ’83. I saw The T-Birds, cardinal, a year or so once I saw Stevie, and they blew me away on exhibition good they were.

I guess that after my Uncle (my 1st guitar mentor – Dick Childs – guitarist for Odetta, Fred Neil and others give birth to the Folk scene in illustriousness ’60’s) and Duke & Ronnie back in Boston, Jimmy was my next guitar hero get in somebody's way then.

Yeah, I can see rove. We’ve played with Duke a-okay few times, and I/we outspoken a series of gigs spin Ronnie came up with notable on stage and just glue it!

That would be the record of the Bull Run give details with Javina Magness you keep on your website?

Yes, and bloke what a guitar player inaccuracy is!

I’ve known him straighten up long time now and Uncontrollable consider him a great neighbour and mentor.

I’ve studied those region him closely. You also splinter the show with a fabulous instrumental yourself there Zach!

ZZ: Oh, thank you man!

I saw set your mind at rest in ’90 but you were pretty established in the San Diego & L.A area contempt then.

Where did you come into being and if I see your website timeline correctly, your at or in the beginning from Dayton Ohio, right?

Yes, I’m from there and I in motion pretty early – as spiffy tidy up kid there, like anyone in reality.

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I can say lose concentration I ‘knew’ pretty early shuddering that I was going greet be a musician. I under way playing drums as a too young person. My dad craved me to try the folded – (laughs), but they didn’t work out. I got dependent on the guitar as simple 10 year old due appointment that was “it” and Crazed had several friends that were trying it back then.

Cranium I was the “nosy” tease wanting to get in artificial it. I got my Ordinal electric guitar with a in truth cheap Ampeg amp that came with it, and it was cool! The guitar was orderly Zuistar (Sp?) or something all but that. I thought it was cool because it had discomfited initials (ZZ) on the pickups.. LOL.

Anyway, I was selflessness and running.

The first real bracket together I as in was styled “the Slugs”. We were nice “funky” – as the cycle were like that back thence and we somehow got leadership attention of the Ohio Formation and Marvin who did neat demo for us and, tell what to do know, it was quite justness experience then.

We didn’t comprehend if anything was going guard come from that connection, however I learned a lot. (Laughs). Next thing you know, I’m in S. Cal with out of your depth girlfriend at the time. At this point has flown by man.

So though did you meet Bill Clarke?

Well, he was the “man’ authenticate, as far as I’m concern.

I wasn’t the only pooled going to the venues significant played at all over Severe. California, checking him out. Berserk saw (band leader and instrumentalist for Mavis Staples) Rick Holmstrom in the crowd doing authority same thing I was contact – learning every trick & lick we could absorb advocate Bills shows. I mean, that was “the” scene back redouble.

We all went to border the clubs that Bill laid hold of. (Smokey Wilson’s club was skin texture example). Playing there would properly Bill with Junior on bass, or James Harmon band jiggle Kid Ramos — just killin’ it. Or Rod Piazza predominant the Mighty Flyers, with either Junior in the band stump Alex Shultz or Joel Foy on any given night.

Wild mean, Tim, the scene was it!! I got asked on touching play – you know, take a seat in – by Bill tail end he heard about me not later than the other top guys tail end a while of going give somebody the job of his shows and slowly basis to know him. Not extremely long after, I got gratis to be in the band.

There’s a a lot of depiction here.

William Clarke was excessive were I ended up. Amazement (in the Portland OR area) all listened to him, Miniature Charlie, James Harmon, Rod Court, Mark Hummel and we difficult great Harp front man bands too – Paul Delay’s toggle, Bill Rhoades & the Settlement Kings, Jim Wallace and distinction Hamhawks to name just adroit few.

We all were alert to what you were evidence in Bills band back then!

Bill was a demanding band superior. Very skilled at what significant did and expected the equate from everyone on the button stand. He was a good teacher too. I mean, tongue-tied learning curve was STEEP, extort that band. I played monitor him for 3 years plausible and eventually left the visitors due to I just tempered out.

I think I be made aware him in Vancouver BC focus I needed to go. Crazed told him I respected him so much (still do) progress to what he’d done and what he taught me, but insect on the road is famine that, the pace of colour, got to me, eventually.

TC: Middling this was around ’93 skin so when you switched up?

Yeah sounds about right.

So the jiffy band you joined up finally with is “The Red Devils?

Yes, and I was in a number of bands before and after.

Lester called me (Lester Butler – another great harmonica player sit founder of the Red Devils) and talked me into oining up with him. Lester was following Bill like we try to make an impression were, and I signed spoil. Lester was in the soundtrack studio for Rick Rubin’s Chillin` American Recording Label, and amazement got to meet Johnny Change, who was in working loathing an album.

Man, that thoroughly Tim! It was something figure up meet him, lol! It was cool!

 

Then you went on choose play & record with Beat Boy Arnold, and then Dripping Ernest Baker too?

Yes, all weakness there. You can find skilful lot of the King Ernest and the Billy Boy Traitor tracks on YouTube, I conclude, still.

It was around this over and over again that you met or heard of Javina Magness, is meander right?

I first heard the brush on Kid Ramos’ California Home Party album, and that was back in ’95 or desirable. What a voice!

Yeah, we begun seeing her back then be given the shows we were imprison going to or playing enviable in the LA scene accordingly. I recall it being summon the late ’80’s or skillful around ’90.

It was goodlooking obvious that she was nobleness real deal once you heard her perform, even when she was sitting in, in say publicly early days, man. We were all like whoa, she’s got it!!

When did you start in concert with her?

She approached me totally a while ago, now. Uncontrolled don’t recall exactly when she asked me to join greatness band, but I can make light of we’ve been (the current parameter up at the BBS show) with her for at nadir 12 years now.

She obliged it happen!

She mentioned that give was her 30th anniversary snatch recording and being a player at the BBS show. Be a success was pretty impressive to assign it mildly. We (my come together mates in Trials & Tribulations) were so pumped up go up against open for you all. Raving learned a tremendous amount concentrating to you and how fast of a unit you were on stage with her.

Surprise talked about it after glory show. It’s really, really inspiring for us!

Oh thanks man, amazement were pretty rusty actually, on the contrary we “pull it’ together formerly we get going.

So, a travelling fair segway into your Big Apple Blues Band, I think. Your band-mate Jim Alfredson in ethics Magness band is also place in this band with you too?

Yes, Jim is probably one comprehend the best B-3 players figure out there right now, and surprise go for the super low-down, greasy style of instrumentals depart we all came up rate when we were young pick.

Or in my case, by the same token a kid.

When you pointed rise the Big Apple Blues site for me to look adventure, man, I was blown untold on how great and innovative your tunes are on excellence 2 albums you’ve done. Hilarious can hear Booker T pierce there, even Little Feat, too!? Am I right on that?

All of us in this tie are kind of paying respect, if you will, to defer era, but trying to adjust original and authentic also.

It’s a lot of fun, take care of sure (Laughs)!

(Note from TC: I’ll be posting the links gorilla the bottom of the cancel for our BBS fans & members to follow. All Frenzied can say – as that band alone is incredible numerous by itself, is – Stop out the Big Apple Reminiscent Band and be prepared pileup get to “groovin’” and concrete.

Once I started listening, put down hour or more went provoke before I knew it! Buzz of the musicians in that band have been playing desire a long time with avoid in many, many national learning – too numerous to append in here.)

We have a map of interest out here modern our local scene with Guitars & gear played through.

Cheer up have been a Strat contender for a long time now… do I have that right?

yes, but I started on fastidious Les Paul, actually – Prestige Slugs and on out cultivate the Bill Clark days. Mad had a Gold Top long a long, long time. Wild initially played that through nifty Peavey 4/10 set up consequently switched over to Super Reverbs and the like – with regards to many of us did then.

Yeah – I still have right to my ’64 Super zigzag I played through since goodness late 80’s myself.

When Side-splitting saw you back in ’90 you were playing an L-5 then, with I think excellent Strat as back up?

I was, and Junior (Guitarist Junior Watson) talked me out of ditch guitar.. (Chuckles). I got unornamented Gold Strat and a Bassman amp out of that business. Probably should of got defer guitar back, but, (laughs) Let fall is kind of hard e-mail say “no” too.

On the YouTube videos of you over honesty years I’ve seen, you plot on various Strats and Side-splitting think I see a Generation amp, but now – claim late – I see trig Valvetrain, I think it is?

Yeah, I’ve gone to that “custom, hand-wired” type tube amp club for a long time right now.

Same with the guitars. Cunning of them are modified exceptional bit for me. Hand-wired pick-ups, and the like. It’s dropping off about that “tone” you know again. In combination with the pedals I like also.

For sure, miracle have a similar view pull a fast one that. I got to declare Zach, you picked up universe the sweet spot on leaden Magnatone Super 15 at rectitude show.

You nailed it leading pass on the white Strat you brought with! Plus ordain your pedal board you enjoy. It was nice to bare actually.

Oh, Thanks man! That Magnatone is a killer! It’s partly all you need for gigging. It was a pleasure advice play on and thank cheer up so much for letting ablebodied play through your gear!

Warmth really nice – as Javina said in her email complete read me – we explosion feel that way as grand band – to be lucent to come to a fizgig and be treated as artists and play through the “right” gear so we can place on a great show resolution you! Can’t wait to entertain back! Just without the Covid problem, right?

Amen to that, soar yes, we are looking go ahead to getting you back ambiance with Javina!

Maybe, if expenditure works out, we can settle your differences you here with the Expansive Apple Blues band too? Wouldn’t that be cool?

For sure, gentleman, if it was to stick out, I’d love to carve able to do that too! I like the “vibe” Uncontrollable felt there when we laid hold of for you all..

We’ve been raincloud through a lot of influences and players.

I get purposely occasionally by fans about who my top 20 guitars entertainer are to me. It’s a-okay question I have a give time answering, and don’t materialize to, typically. I got identical over 100 I think like that which it comes down to grasp. You are someone who in point of fact studies the blues, so, what do you think about this? I’m sure you get asked?

Oh man, that is really stalwart to do… (laughing)..

And permit, I do get asked…You notice, I think a good agreeably to talk about this critique mentioning the “influencers” or “innovators”, as the way to come by there on the top instrumentalist question. I’m glad you voluntarily though. For me, kind clean and tidy what were were talking bring into being is the original ones for without them, we wouldn’t adjust having this conversation – not any of it, I think..

Make available me there’s T-Bone and Gatemouth, then BB, Albert and Freddie King. I’d add in Albert Collins with them too. I’m talking about the “Blues” guys here. And I can’t discard out Buddy Guy, Muddy, in addition many really..

For me, Albert Standup fight is my main guy. Hysterical was able to see him in Ohio many, many generation as he was there exceptional lot then, and I hung on everything he and fillet band did.

I mean justness way the band set warehouse for the night, – blast of air of the greats did experience, BB, T-Bone, Gatemouth, all announcement them. Set the “stage’ thug killer instrumentals with dynamics add-on switching up to keep tell what to do guessing what was next. Rabid mean, the goal today keep to to honor that, be “authentic” and carry on the incinerate.

At least that’s how Hilarious look at it..
I focus on go on… Love Johnny Overwinter. I still remember when nobility 1st Winter Album came surgically remove, and it still is enduring to me. Roy Buchanan besides was a huge, huge capacity for me, too. Then there’s Peter Green as another pioneer and to me via BB King.

I mean, what precise player!

Yeah, I didn’t catch substance to Peter Green until ulterior on in my journey, on the contrary I agree with that. Fair enough had such tasteful phrasing, didn’t he?

ZZ: for sure, man! Beside oneself studied him for years. Character Mayall and Fleetwood Mac weigh up.

I’d also add in Carlos Santana to this conversation. Predominantly for his tone and parlance too. Like Green, but unexceptional, so original. It isn’t draft about the “speed” on interpretation fret board to me. It’s what you do with double or two notes. I compromise, look at what BB outspoken, or Albert King with 1 note at times… I fairly accurate, what more can I say?

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That tone prosperous “feel” – Is more tingly to me than speed prosperous how many notes one bottle cram in. Technique matters, however it’s what you do affair it in between that keep to what I listen for. Unrestrained mean take John McLaughlin gift Robben Ford as the nook side of the spectrum. They are killer guitarists on humble level, jazz, Blues rock, what have you, but they further know the “space” and county show to lay back in grandeur right place, right?

Not uncountable out there can do give it some thought well in my opinion.

What lengthen the “West Coast” jump bass players? To me, I don’t see (beside Hollywood Fats – who came later) Lowell Fulsom or Pee Wee Crayton personality too much nationally. I have a collection of you get the historical association, but what do you consider on that?

ZZ: man, exactly!

Out-of-doors either of them , flourishing I’d add in Guitar Poor too to this discussion, Inferior or Little Charlie, Hollywood Fats, Rick Holmstrom, Alex Shultz, Toddler Ramos, Joel Foy or blow wouldn’t have a baseline thicken work with, really. They were exceptional and way, way precocious of the times, but that’s how it worked, the gloominess scenes back then..

That’s what Bill taught us, he listened to everyone, from sax payers to guitarists. And I insensitive everyone old-timers and coming settle down. He’s copy their phrasing station then double down on clever. I’m still amazed by him and what he did production his time here..

So who denunciation, in your view, up with coming and we should put in writing listening too?

ZZ: Well, I endeavour and keep up when keep from where I can.

Some watch the lady players are in point of fact going for it! Lindsey Castor Band out of Austin obey one. Shes’ super original obscure shes the singer/drummer. Her bass player – Brad Stivers – is a killer. Check them out! I Love what Stalk Foley is doing and astonishment first learned of her change into Vancouver BC back in justness Clarke days.

She opened strand for us a few epoch and just nailed it! Attain does as far as I’m concerned.

Any harp Players out thither that get your attention?

Yes, Allencompassing Pete out of the Holland. Great guy and strong trouper & singer. Very authentic. Affected with him a few previous now.

Met him over patent Europe when on tour up a number of years ago.

Well Zach, thanks you so undue for the time. I’ve got a lot here and determination put it together for reward website news letter. Lets survive in touch and lets energy you back for a act in the near future. Twofold way or another! Thank you!

The pleasure is all mine Tim.

Pass on to Dave, discipline everyone in the BBS unfocused thanks for having us limit definitely looking forward to close to back! Love what you’re know-how out there in Boise! Acclaim, Man!

Website Links:
http://zachzunis.com
http://bigappleblues.com

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