Zachary Finnegan was raised in Weston, Wisconsin and currently resides in Chicago, IL. His music has consistently dealt with the merge of spirituality, groove music, cinematic elements and aspects from the jazz tradition. Zach sees himself as a lifelong learner in all facets of life, including music. His love for music came at a young age. His father, Joseph Finnegan, instilled a passion for the arts as his band teacher for four years beginning in the sixth grade.

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Zach received a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from Indiana University under the guidance of John Raymond and Joey Tartell. He received his Bachelors in Music Education and Jazz Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point under the guidance of Mathew Buchman, Brent Turney and Patrick Lawrence. Zach has enjoyed a varied musical journey with work in performing, composing, education, recording, and entrepreneurship. Zach has played professionally alongside John Raymond, Carrington Clinton, Rob Dixon, Vince Mendoza, Thomas Walsh, Pat Harbison, Brent Turney, Jeremy Allen, Joe Galvin, Joel Tucker, Ryan Korb, Nick Tucker, John Greiner, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Lenard Simpson, Camila Mennitte, Matt Ulery, Jared Thompson, Tim Albright among others. Through his collegiate studies, he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists such as Matt Wilson, Walter Smith III, Michael Rodriguez, Tim Green, Michael Dease, Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, Rodney Whitaker and Brandon Lee. Zach is a founding member of Omnos Quartet, Crossroads Quintet, and part of the Indianapolis-based hip-hop/jazz-fusion band, Clint Breeze and the Groove.

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As a performer, Zach’s groups have played multiple festivals, most notably opening for Dave Liebman and the New Light Quartet at the Riverfront Jazz Festival in 2017. Additionally, “The Zachary Finnegan Quintet,” has also opened for Janet Planet at the Bull Falls Jazz Festival in 2018, and opened for the Jeremy Allen Trio at Taste of Bloomington in 2019. He has also played as a sideman at CHREECE Hip Hop Festival, Ear Taxi Festival and Feast of the Lanterns Festival. Zach began a group in Bloomington, IN entitled, “Crossroads Quintet.” Their debut EP release occurred at the 2019 B'town Jazz Festival, and debut album, Intertwined, released May of 2020 on the Midwest Crush Music Label. Zach’s first group, “Omnos Quartet,” recorded their debut album at Daly’s Restaurant and Wine Bar in December 2018 in Wausau, WI. Additionally, Zach has traveled as a solo guest artist with the 2018 Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music Tour to seven European countries, featured in various venues across Europe. His composition entitled, Hugh, was featured on a Jazz Studies promotional video for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2016.

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Zach was the manager of the groups Omnos Quartet, and Crossroads Quintet, as well as currently assisting Travis Lee, Clint Breeze and the Groove and his own freelance career in Chicago. Understanding and functioning within the business side of music has been a passion of Zach's for some time, and has proved to be a positive aspect on his musical journey.

 

Zach has proved to be comfortable leading new projects, from creating bands to working with organizations within the community. Zach was the President of the Jazz Society of UWSP for two years. This outlet allowed the student organization to host guest artists, plan events, host jam sessions, and attend professional jazz concerts in Chicago, IL and Appleton, WI. This experience at UWSP stemmed similar outcomes as Zach transitioned to Indiana University as he began leading the Jacobs School of Music Jazz Education Network Student Chapter. This partnership allowed students to access national and international music resources. Simultaneously, Zach was appointed as one of four interns for the Project Jumpstart team through the Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development at Indiana University. This office allowed him to promote and collaborate on fellow student's creative projects, host events with guest artists, build a positive and uplifting environment for fellow students, and put him in a position to lift up the arts community of Bloomington, IN.  These academic organizations stemmed into Zach being proactive in the communities he has been a part of. In 2019, Zach became the newest member of the B’town Jazz Organization’s board of directors as the social media director, and co-coordinator for the 2019 B'town Jazz Festival. Similarly, he held a position with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra as the Jazz Intern where he worked with the local Boys and Girls Club, and curated a jazz listening session at a local art gallery.

 

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Zach has previously been on staff at the Wausau Conservatory of Music as the Trumpet Artist. He taught private lessons and camps, as well as masterclasses to any and all ages. Education plays a huge role in Zach's life. He has worked at multiple jazz institutes across the country including the Skidmore Jazz Institute, Brevard Jazz Institute, Birch Creek Jazz Program and the Madison Summer Music Clinic. Currently, he has a private trumpet studio through PCCCArts and is on staff at Jazz Empowers and Band for Today in Chicago, IL. He looks continuously for outlets to spread the knowledge of music to younger students, and create a healthy environment for learning and creativity.