Born in Manhattan, NYC, Zachary Alford began his musical journey being influenced by musician friends of his older siblings ( his sister's boyfriend's band used to rehearse in their living room). " I used to look under my bed at the drums that were stashed there. Being so close to real instruments started my fascination with them." " My brother's friend Chandara lived on the 18th floor and he was a drummer too". After demonstrating an understanding of the drum kit at age 10, Zack's mom bought him a second hand drum set and he never looked back. "my neighborhood was full of drummers". Peter "Phoenix" Rivera, Sterling Campbell, Ben Perowsky and Poogie Bell (Zack's 1st instructor) all lived within a 10 block radius. At age 15 Zack met Charley Drayton at the 7th Avenue South night club and that would galvanize his commitment and direction as a drummer.
Primarily self taught, Zachary played in night clubs throughout his high school years, interacting with scores of New York musicians at the Peppermint Lounge, Danceteria, The Ritz, CBGB's, A7, The Pyramid Club and the infamous Music Building on 38th st and 8th ave, rubbing
shoulders with such future stars as Madonna, Vernon Ried and Jean Michel Basquiat. "It was all about playing music". This provided him with a rich and diverse atmosphere for playing different styles, and gaining professional experience. He also managed to find the time to
study with master drummer Kenwood Denard and Tommy Campbell.
In 1987 he went to Switzerland with Melvin Gibbs and Vernon Ried and again in 1988 with Kelvynator to play on jazz/funk festival tours. 1989 saw him matched up with the B52's and in the '90s such names as Bruce Springsteen('92-'94) and David Bowie ('95-'98). Zachary 's recording credits include other luminaries such as Billy Joel, Suzanna Hoffs, The Manic Street Preachers, Jeffery Gains, David Torn, Patti Scialfa and international superstars Zucchero Fornaciari, Khaled and Tomoyasu Hotei.
A member of the Yamaha family since 1990, Zachary plays the Maple Custom series. "I feel extremely lucky to be a Yamaha endorsee. For me they're like the Jaguar E type of drums. I don't think there's a better crafted drum on the market".
Other artists Zachary has performed and/or recorded with include:
George Clinton
Daryll Jennifer ( Bad Brains)
Ronnie Drayton
Bernie Worrel
T.M. Stevens
Bodybag
The Dance
David Fiuczynski
Adam Rogers
Nine Inch Nails
