Guitarist Drew Zingg handed away in San Francisco on April 7. He was 67; reason for loss of life has not been launched by the household.

Born in New York Metropolis, Zingg was a next-level guitarist who weaved the sounds of rock, soul, and blues into the harmonic sophistication of jazz. Whereas he constructed a status as an outstanding participant on the New York membership scene, he garnered wider consideration by his work on the 1991 album The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Dwell on the Beacon. This album featured Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald with Zingg performing “Drowning within the Sea of Love,” “Chain Lightning,” and “Minute by Minute.”

He acquired wider accolades in ’93, when he grew to become Steely Dan’s music director for his or her first reunion tour in 20 years. Their Los Angeles efficiency within the following yr weaved iconic traces from the studio albums whereas including spectacular fretboard brilliance. Known as “The Drew Zingg Present with particular friends Steely Dan,” it culminated in Steely Dan’s 1995 launch Alive in America. A deep dive could be discovered on Youtube with uncooked, mind-blowing Steely Dan reveals. Particularly, Dwell on the Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, California, September 12, 1993.

Within the 2000s, Zingg toured with Scaggs, supplying soulful guitar elements that blurred the traces between R&B, soul, blues, and funk. In ’04, he performed on Boz Scaggs: Best Hits Dwell. He additionally carried out on Broadway within the Grammy-winning reveals Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, and Smokey Joe’s Café.

In 2012, Zingg launched a self-titled solo album that additionally featured Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Will Lee, and Vinnie Colaiuta.

A passionate guitarist, musical historian, and wonderful arranger, Zingg is survived by his spouse, Katerina Akassoglou, a son, and two brothers. Contributions could be made in his honor to the Candy Aid Musicians Fund, www.sweetrelief.org. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s August 2025 subject. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.