Zaccai Curtis (born December 25, 1981) is an American jazz and Latin jazz pianist, composer, and music educator. A Grammy Award-winning artist, Curtis has been a driving force in the Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz scene, drawing inspiration from jazz legends like Jackie McLean, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie.
He is the founder of Truth Revolution Records (TRRCollective), an independent label that promotes jazz and Latin jazz musicians. He is also a music professor at multiple universities, including the University of Rhode Island, the Jackie McLean Institute at the HARTT School, and Western Connecticut State University.
In 2025, Curtis won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for Cubop Lives!, a tribute to Afro-Cuban jazz pioneers. His work, both as a solo artist and with The Curtis Brothers Band, has been widely praised for its technical brilliance, rhythmic complexity, and deep connection to jazz traditions.
This article explores Zaccai Curtis’s net worth, biography, age, early life, career, family, discography, awards, and lesser-known facts.
Zaccai Curtis Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zaccai Greg Curtis |
| Stage Name | Zaccai Curtis |
| Profession | Jazz Pianist, Composer, Music Educator |
| Hometown | Windsor, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1981 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 43 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Years Active | 2000 – Present |
| Genres | Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Labels | Truth Revolution Records (TRR) |
| Website | Official Website |
Early Life and Career
Early Years
Zaccai Curtis was born on December 25, 1981, in New York City and grew up in Windsor, Connecticut. He was exposed to music at a young age and began studying piano and jazz theory.
He trained at Jackie McLean’s Artists Collective school in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was deeply influenced by McLean’s teaching style and emphasis on jazz traditions. His Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz roots developed during this time.
Education & Early Training
- Studied at The New England Conservatory of Music.
- Moved to New York City in 2005 to pursue a professional jazz career.
- Founded Truth Revolution Records (TRRCollective), a record label that supports independent jazz and Latin jazz musicians.
Major Career Breakthroughs
The Curtis Brothers Band
Zaccai and his brother, bassist Luques Curtis, formed The Curtis Brothers Band, a jazz ensemble inspired by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. Their music blends straight-ahead jazz with Afro-Cuban influences, and Zaccai composes most of their works.
Notable Albums by The Curtis Brothers Band
- Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom (2010)
- Completion of Proof (2012)
- Algorithm (2020) – Featured Brian Lynch (trumpet), Donald Harrison (alto sax), and Ralph Peterson (drums).
Solo Career & Truth Revolution Records
In addition to his band, Zaccai launched a successful solo career, composing and performing Latin jazz and contemporary jazz. He founded Truth Revolution Records (TRRCollective), a record label that supports jazz musicians.
- Produced Andy González’s Entre Colegas (2017), which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
- Released multiple solo projects focusing on Afro-Cuban jazz and bebop fusion.
2024-2025: Grammy Win for Cubop Lives!
- Released Cubop Lives! in May 2024.
- Album reached #1 on the Latin Jazz charts in August 2024.
- Featured Willie Martinez III (timbales), Camilo Molina (congas), Reinaldo De Jesus (bongos), and Luques Curtis (bass).
- Won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album.
At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Zaccai, alongside his bandmates, accepted the award in Los Angeles, cementing his status as one of the most influential contemporary Latin jazz musicians.
Discography
Solo Albums
| Year | Album Title |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Insight |
| 2010 | Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom (with Curtis Brothers) |
| 2012 | Completion of Proof (with Curtis Brothers) |
| 2013 | Nuestro Tango |
| 2020 | Algorithm (with Curtis Brothers) |
| 2024 | Cubop Lives! |
Teaching & Music Education
Zaccai Curtis is a highly respected jazz educator and serves on the faculty at:
- University of Rhode Island
- The Jackie McLean Institute at The HARTT School
- Western Connecticut State University
He has also authored two instructional books focused on jazz voicings and Latin jazz piano techniques.
Notable Performances & Collaborations
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Performed at major jazz festivals worldwide. |
| 2017 | Grammy nomination for Andy González’s Entre Colegas (produced by Curtis). |
| 2020 | Released Algorithm with Curtis Brothers Band, featuring Brian Lynch, Donald Harrison, and Ralph Peterson. |
| 2024 | Released Cubop Lives!, reaching #1 on the Latin Jazz charts. |
| 2025 | Won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for Cubop Lives!. |
Awards and Recognitions
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Grammy Awards | Best Latin Jazz Album (Entre Colegas, produced by Curtis) | Nominated |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best Latin Jazz Album (Cubop Lives!) | Won |
Net Worth and Income Sources
Zaccai Curtis’s estimated net worth (as of 2025) is between $1-3 million. His income sources include:
- Album sales & streaming revenue
- Live performances & tours
- Music production & record label earnings
- University teaching positions
- Jazz masterclasses & educational content
| Source of Income | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $1-3 million (estimated) |
| Primary Income | Jazz Performances & Teaching |
| Additional Income | Record Label, Production, Streaming |
Lesser-Known Facts
- Zaccai Curtis was born on Christmas Day (December 25, 1981).
- He studied under Jackie McLean, one of his biggest influences.
- Truth Revolution Records (TRRCollective) supports independent jazz artists.
- Cubop Lives! was a tribute to Afro-Cuban jazz pioneers like Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie.
- His brother, Luques Curtis, is a top jazz bassist, often collaborating with him.
Conclusion
Zaccai Curtis is a leading figure in Latin jazz, blending bebop, Afro-Cuban, and contemporary jazz. His Grammy-winning album Cubop Lives! (2025) showcases his commitment to preserving and innovating jazz traditions. As a composer, performer, and educator, Curtis continues to influence the next generation of jazz musicians.
“This article is based on publicly available information and is for informational purposes only. Readers should verify details independently.”
