ZING! was originally formed for a one time performance on May 22nd, 2006 celebrating the birthday of one of the band members. After this first performance it was a mutual understanding that this Chicago-based group of musicians would soon become a new group. ZING! draws on the traditions of both acoustic improvised music, electronica and ambient music, with members contributing personal musical identities and backgrounds including a wide range of musical styles.
Although all members of ZING! are steeped in the jazz tradition, all have ventured into other musical dimensions through study and performance with groups playing latin, rock, funk, drum ‘n bass, free jazz, classical, punk and many other styles of music. In live performance, this musical collective balances wholly improvised pieces with pre-composed ones, always freshly approaching the music.
Chicago guitarist, Dave Miller (guitar/effects) has built an impressive and wide-ranging roster of musical collaborations. He has been a three time consecutive winner in the Union and Civic Arts League of Chicago Jazz Improvisation and was recently featured in Chicago Magazine. In addition to his sought-after talents in guitar performance, Miller has also become respected as a serious composer, mainly from the output of his experimental indie jazz group, Algernon.
James Davis (trumpet/effects) is a Chicago trumpet player and composer. James composes most of Zing!’s music, leads his own quintet, and frequently performs with a diverse blend of creative-minded musical groups. He was a finalist in the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition, and a finalist in the 2007 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition.
Caroline Davis (alto saxophone/effects) moved to Chicago in 2004 to pursue a Ph.D in Music Cognition. She has since experienced a range of accolades including a Downbeat outstanding soloist award (2006), an outstanding Graduate Student presentation (2005 Performance Matters Conference in Portugal), and performances with Sisters in Jazz (2005). Caroline frequently performs with Pedway, Tomorrow Music Orchestra and Ear to the Ground.
After moving to Chicago from New Orleans, Matthew Golombisky (electric bass/likable noise) started the 20+ member Tomorrow Music Orchestra and founded the Ears&Eyes record label/collective along with the 3-day annual Ears&Eyes Festival. Matthew continues to play with several groups from New Orleans (The Other Planets, QMRplus, Grilly Biggs) as well as newly formed groups based in Chicago (Pedway, Ear to the Ground, Lucky 7s).
Quin Kirchner (drums/cymbals), originally from the Chicago area, has collaborated with a variety of musicians across the United States. While living in New Orleans, he regularly performed with The Other Planets, Grilly Biggs, and QMRplus. In Chicago, Quin has performed and/or recorded with Lucky 7s, Ear to the Ground, Tomorrow Music Orchestra, Salamander, and blink. He is a founding member of the Ears&Eyes record label/collective.