Jeffrey Zeigler

Jeffrey Zeigler is one of the most innovative and versatile cellists of our time. Strings Magazine says Zeigler is “widely known for pushing boundaries and breaking conventions.” The New York Times has described Mr. Zeigler as “fiery,” and a player who performs “with unforced simplicity and beauty of tone.” Acclaimed for his independent streak, Mr. Zeigler has commissioned dozens of works, and is admired as a potent collaborator and unique improviser. As a member of the internationally renowned Kronos Quartet from 2005-2013, he is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, the Polar Music Prize, the President’s Merit Award from the Recording Academy (Grammys), the Chamber Music America National Service Award and The Asia Society’s Cultural Achievement Award.

Following his tenure with Kronos, his multifaceted career has led to collaborations with a wide array of artists and innovators such as Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Hauschka, Vijay Iyer, Yo-Yo Ma, Julie Mehretu, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Carl Hancock Rux, and Foday Musa Suso. He has also performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. Recent and upcoming concertos written for him include Mark Adamo’s Last Year (at Carnegie Hall with the American Composers Orchestra,) Andy Akiho’s Cello Concerto (premiered here at the Sun Valley Music Festival, followed by performances with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra,) and Amy Brandon’s Simulacra (Open Waters Festival.)

Mr. Zeigler has released 40 solo and chamber music recordings for Nonesuch Records, Deutsche Grammophon, Cantaloupe, Smithsonian Folkways, and National Sawdust Tracks and has appeared with Norah Jones on her album Not Too Late on Blue Note Records. Mr. Zeigler can be heard on the film soundtrack for Paolo Sorrentino’s Academy Award winning film La Grande Bellezza, as well as Clint Mansell’s Golden Globe nominated soundtrack to the Darren Aronofsky film The Fountain.

His most recent solo album Houses of Zodiac is his first full collaboration with his wife, trailblazing composer Paola Prestini. Strings Magazine described the album as “one of the greatest and most ambitious solo cello albums of all time.”

With Paola Prestini, Mr. Zeigler is the Co-Artistic Director of VisionIntoArt, a non-profit new music and interdisciplinary arts production company based in New York. Described by The New York Times as “always intriguing and frequently beguiling,” VIA “facilitates flamboyant, confounding and enticing collaborations.” Additional roles include Director of the National Sawdust Ensemble, member of the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America and CelloBello, and he serves on the Honorary Committee of the Sphinx Organization.

Mr. Zeigler was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Chamber Music and Innovation at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

Jeffrey Zeigler plays a cello by Samuel Zygmuntowicz on loan from the Five Partners Foundation.