Chicago-born Earl Zindars graduated from DePaul University and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Music Composition from Northwestern University. He studied with Dr. Leon Stein and Walingford Riegger, and earned a Fulbright Scholarship to attend Oxford University, where he studied with Edmund Rubbra. Postgraduate work was at Columbia University with Dr. Otto Leuning. Fellowships include Yaddo, Edward MacDowell, and the Huntington Hartford Foundation. Earl received numerous commissions and awards throughout his career, including the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He was also the recipient of Broadcast Music, Inc.'s "Jazz Pioneer Award", given in recognition of his "long and outstanding contributions to the world of jazz."

His long association with the legendary Bill Evans produced several recordings on Evans's albums. Evans particularly favored "Elsa" and "How My Heart Sings", which evolved into jazz standards over the pianist's long recording career. In recognition of Evans's connection with "How My Heart Sings" and the title's evocative nature, Peter Pettinger used it as the name of his acclaimed 1998 biography of Bill Evans.

Earl's tunes have also been featured on the albums of numerous other artists including Cannonball Adderly, Donald Byrd, Eddie Daniels, Philly Joe Jones, Dino Saluzzi, and Tony Williams. Most recently, pianist Bill Cunliffe brought forward a CD entitled "How My Heart Sings", dedicating it exclusively to the music of Earl Zindars. The CD enjoyed several weeks ranked among Jazz Week's top ten.

Beyond the jazz realm, Earl's classical compositions have been performed by the International Chamber Orchestra of Rome (Italy), San Francisco Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Symphony Brass, San Jose Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Chamber Players, and various brass ensembles around the world.

Teaching Background:
San Francisco State University for six years
Composition, Theory, Percussion & Jazz

Professional Percussion Credits
NBC Chicago Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Oakland Symphony Orchestra
Marin Symphony Orchestra

Remembering Earl Zindars, article in San Francisco Chronicle, August 2005 
(Read the article online or Download PDF File)