“A classic Lower East Side troubadour, you could transport Zighel to any era of music and he would immediately be welcomed by the artistic community, and listeners alike.”
“"Groovy, Swingy!"”
Biography
Joel Zighel is a songwriter and performer with core audiences in NYC and Los Angeles. His 2017 debut record, "Down On Jones Street,” chronicled his formative years as a wine merchant in NYC's west village, where in addition to “hawking juice,” he performed regularly at local clubs such as The Bitter End, Pianos, KGB Bar Red Room, Caffe Vivaldi, The Delancey, and others. Produced in 2017 by industry veteran Craig Dreyer at Mighty Toad Studios in Brooklyn, the album echoes the work of icons like Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and Randy Newman. Recorded exclusively on tape, with horn arrangements by Jay Collins (Little Feat); and top session players such as Barry Danelian (Tower of Power), and Clark Gayton (Springsteen), the album captures a unique warmth and presence recalling the great recordings of the 1970s. Music writer Adam Bernard called Zighel "a classic Lower East Side troubadour, [who] you could transport [to] any era of music and he would immediately be welcomed by the artistic community, and listeners alike." Bernard recommended readers "check out “Queen of Souls” from his 2017 album Down On Jones Street. It’s a musical, and lyrical gem that has a wonderful energy to it." Another track from the album — "Call It A Win" — was contracted for use in the Apple TV+ show The Afterparty in 2023.
Zighel recently released his second album, “Vintner’s Blues.” Also recorded on tape at Mighty Toad Studios with producer Craig Dreyer, this release features horn arrangements by Dreyer with contributions from A-list NYC sessions players. A full-band album release show was performed on September 27, 2023 at The Bitter End in New York City.
Press photos
The Bitter End, NYC
The Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
Mighty Toad Studios, NYC