608 – Nir Z: How to Do More with Less

Nir Z has had two successful careers, starting in Jerusalem and developing into a well-accomplished touring and session drummer before leaving Israel to start what seems like a second career, in New York City. Arriving to NYC and unable to speak English, he let his playing do the talking – and it worked!

In 1997, Nir played on Genesis’ album, Calling All Stations, and subsequently joined the band for their 1998 tour. From there he went on to play on John Mayer’s break out record, Room for Squares as well as other work with for various artists including Jason Mraz, Joss Stone and Alana Davis, Chris Cornell, Blake Shelton, Billy Squier and a slew of others.

The first time I heard Nir’s playing was on Room for Squares and it forever changed my opinion of “pop” music and whether or not it could feel good. It effected my playing in a major way and I’m honored to finally have Nir on the podcast to thank him for that.

Nir Z talks about:

• How challenges that come with limitations have made him a better player
• Why you don’t always need new “tools”
• How he determines what he’s going to play when working on a song
• What he listened to growing up in Israel
• What his experience playing in a wedding band taught him

Resources/Links mentioned:

• Contact Nir Z: Instagram