Kiane Zawadi is a pronounced and talented trombone and euphonium player who, since the 1960s, has played for myriad ensembles and big bands across New York City. Since 1985, he has excelled as a trombone and euphonium player for the Clifford Jordan Big Band. Earlier in his career, he played for Archie Shepp, Aretha Franklin and the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, as well as for Joe Henderson from 1967 to 1974. Likewise, Mr. Zawadi was a musician for Benny Golson and Art Farmer from 1969 to 1970 and the Dizzy Gillepsie Orchestra from 1963 to 1972, having previously served as a trombone and euphonium player for Larry Ridley’s Jazz Ensemble for the Staten Island Jazz Festival. He commenced his musical career in the early 1960s as a trombone player with Slide Hampton and James Moody.
Alongside his big band endeavors, Mr. Zawadi played the trombone for the Broadway show “Dancin’” from 1978 to 1982, and even recorded with prominent artists including Freddie Hubbard, Yussef Lateef, Sun Ra, Pepper Adams, Donald Byrd and Rodney Kendrick. Although his career has been suffused with highlights and achievements, he is exceptionally proud of working with Jazzmobile in New York City, serving the organization as a workshop instructor that has aided students learn how to play the trombone and learn musical theory in both beginner and advanced stages. Likewise, Jazzmobile afforded Mr. Zawadi the opportunity to conduct concerts with other musicians in local neighborhoods.
To remain abreast of developments in the field of music, and specifically jazz music, Mr. Zawadi has maintained membership with the Universal Jazz Coalition, the National Jazz Organization, the American Federation of Musicians and the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, of which he is a co-founder. He was a featured artist at the International Jazz Festival at Duke University and, most notably, contracted the Saxophone Summit Musicians for the opening ceremony of former President Clinton’s Harlem office. He also performed with Reggie Workman’s African Brass Ensemble.
As a testament to his resounding success, Mr. Zawadi has earned numerous accolades. He was the recipient of the New York City Housing Authority Performance Arts Program Recognition Award, and was also named Artist Deserving of Wider Recognition by Downbeat Magazine in 1964. Furthermore, in 1989 he was honored with the Parent Leadership Award from the New York City Board of Education.
