In a genre where biographies are filled with achievements, anecdotes, awards, and career ups and downfalls, multi-instrumentalist, musical director and all-around savant, Glenn Zottola possesses certainly one of the most unique. The scion of a musical family – Glenn’s father, Frank arranged for Claude Thornhill, was a legendary trumpet mouthpiece-maker, and later owned a jazz nightclub – Glenn began playing trumpet at age three. Soon, he was playing along with his gifted pianist Mother and developing his legendary “ear,” arguably one of the best in the biz. That playing experience and aural skill alone would later set Zottola apart from musician mortals and draw the respect of swingmaster Benny Goodman and others.
At 9 he was playing with youth orchestras and at 13 was a three-time winner on Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour and did a nationwide Mack tour with other winners. He was also a featured performer at the Zottola jazz nightclub, playing in a melodically embellished style that was reminiscent of Louis Armstrong. At 17, Glenn, whose reputation as a hard- swinging improviser was resonating, hit the road with the Glenn Miller Band, then under clarinetist Buddy DeFranco’s leadership. A stint with Lionel Hampton’s Band followed, as well as a non-stop series of performances with the A-List of popular music: Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé and many others. As was the case throughout his career, Zottola was always “Mr. Swinging” and in the utmost demand. It wasn’t long before Broadway beckoned and Glenn’s beautiful tone was regularly heard from the band-pits of “Evita,” “Barnum,” “Annie” and “Chicago.”
Benny Goodman was notorious for employing only the most accomplished and swinging musicians. It was a Goodman’s request that Zottola soon joined and toured with the Goodman ensemble. Zottola’s awesome technical ability, as well as his impeccable swing moved Goodman to such an extent that he considered Glenn one of his best, if not the best, trumpeter ever in his employ.
As savvy an entrepreneur as a musician, Zottola then launched his own musical production company which employed over 70 musicians and presented over 300 gigs per year throughout the East. One of his associates at the time was legendary drummer Bobby Rosengarden. But, being a soloist by his very nature, Glenn soon chose to move back into the solo spotlight. He formed his own groups (both small and big band), recorded scores of celebrated albums, and toured the world, performing with Gerry Mulligan, Chick Corea, Milt Hinton, Bob Wilber, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and just about every name in Leonard Feather’s Encyclopedia of Jazz.
What is also testament to Zottola’s unique musical brilliance – he’s never taken a lesson and, while he can read music, plays predominantly by ear – is the fact that, having a lifelong interest and love for the instruments’ sound and lyric beauty, he taught himself to play both alto and tenor saxophones – and to develop said horns at such a level of proficiency that his performances and saxophone recordings on those instruments (and trumpet, of course) have been critically lauded in DownBeat, All About Jazz, et al, and they have submitted for Grammy® nominations.
Zottola, never one to rest on laurels, soon became performer and Musical Director for actress/vocalist, Suzanne Somers television show. With Suzanne, Zottola’s “baton” and three horns also traveled the world’s foremost musical venues “just doing his ‘Glenn’ thing,” as Sommers would state. Glenn’s ability to blend his tone, lyricism and sense of swing, as well as guide the performances was heralded.

Over the last few years, Zottola, a firebrand of energy, has recorded dozens of celebrated albums, many on trumpet and others on alto or tenor saxophone. While great multi-instrumentalists are not unique in the jazz world, no one performer has played at the complete proficiency on all three of those specific instruments, as well as having been a musical director and businessman. 

Now with nearly seven decades spanning his stellar performing career, Zottola continues to artistically evolve at a pace that would daunt a Gen Xer as he continues add to his performing and recorded legacy. He recently released an enthralling Latin-tinged album, “Glenn Zottola and Friends” with renowned Brazilian guitarist, Romero Lubamba and has recorded multiple other tracks done with him. Future joint projects with Lubamba are in development. In addition, Glenn has recently recorded multiple singles and also collaborated with Grammy Award-winner and 88-million-view You Tube® phenomenon and UNESCO “Global Ambassador of Kindness,” Ricky Kej. 

A decades-long close personal friend of and frequent recording collaborator with Chick Corea, Zottola recently recorded with the legendary keyboardist/composer on “Crystal Silence” – the very last recording Corea made before his untimely passing. Additional exciting Zottola-Corea efforts are underway, including Glenn’s Chick Corea Tribute album, a “digital book” of their joint works, and much more. 

Zottola, always one to “give back” and “play it forward,” has also begun to share his abundant expertise and “Jazz Life” saga via media interviews, Master Classes, clinics and command performances throughout the world, both live and via social media. 

Glenn Zottola, a musician extraordinaire, an artist of the highest and most imitable genius. Truly a “Jazz Life” well-lived, much shared, and much revered