Project Z was an American indie rock, jazz fusion, and jam band of the early 21st century. Project Z was founded by leader Jimmy Herring (guitar), Rickey Keller (bass), and

Jeff Sipe Jeff Sipe (born January 31, 1959), also known as Apt. Q258, is an American drummer. He is a rock and jazz fusion drummer but is proficient in other styles. He is a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit with Bruce Hampton. He was a member of Lef ...

(drums), as an offshoot of Sipe's Atlanta band Apartment Project, which often included Keller and which Herring sat in with on occasion. The "Z" in the band name stands for "Zambi",

Bruce Hampton Bruce Hampton (born Gustav Valentine Berglund III; April 30, 1947 – May 1, 2017) was an American musician. He was a key figure in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene, mentoring numerous other musicians who became national stars. His own musical ...

's name for his personal and musical philosophy. Herring had played in Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Keller had also played with Hampton. According to Herring, the band's goal in live performances was to "totally improvise for real", sometimes detuning their instruments to prevent the band members from falling back on their existing musical vocabulary. According to

Dean Budnick Dean Budnick is an American writer, filmmaker, college professor, podcast creator and radio host who focuses on music, film and popular culture. Budnick, who is editor-in-chief of Relix,"Editor's note" ''Relix'' October/November 2013 grew up in ...

, "The result may not be everyone's cup of Z, but in the live setting, it is often a stunning, sublime experience".

Discography

* '' Project Z'' (2000, Terminus 0008-2) * '' Lincoln Memorial'' (2005, Abstract Logix)

References

External links

*{{AllMusic , class=artist , id=project-z-mn0000365774 American alternative rock groups Jazz fusion ensembles Jam bands Musical groups from Atlanta