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Formed in 2017, Zendetta features four seasoned musicians of diverse backgrounds who live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Playing a mix of straight-ahead jazz, tasteful R&B and original takes on popular music, Zendetta is focused on creating an optimal music listening experience using sonic textures, space and dynamics to honor music and life. We feature Jim Peterman on the Hammond B3 organ in unique combination with Vinny Corda’s flute, and sax, Nate McCrae’s keyboards and Marco Noto’s solid grooves and modern sensibilities.  We are excited to revive the classic music of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff as well as pushing modern ambient boundaries. Bringing this listening experience to the stage is the collective obsession of Zendetta’s band members!

Jim Peterman was the resident organist and pianist in the Steve Miller Band from mid-1967 until 1968, joining just ahead of their Fillmore gig backing Chuck Berry and their appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, and playing on two of their albums, Children of the Future and Sailor. Peterman left because he grew tired of the constant touring necessary to support the band’s albums, and he was succeeded by Ben Sidran, an old friend of Miller‘s.  Peterman later played organ on two of Sidran‘s solo albums.  Currently, Jim is leader  of the Jim Peterman Quartet and is a member of the Shane Pruitt Band.
Vinny Corda is a native New Yorker who began playing flute at the age of ten. He studied music theory at Queens College and played the New York City and Long Island clubs before moving to North Carolina in 2009. Since coming to the Foothills area he has been honored to share the stage with Sonny Emory, Yonrico Scott, Artimus Pyle, Ike Stubblefield and other great musicians. Vinny is owner and engineer of Red Door Recording in Columbus, NC.

Marco Noto brings his focus on groove management to Zendetta. A combination of formal musical schooling at the University of Tampa, where he was a member of the Jazz Ensemble, and many years of club and circuit band experience have prepared him to support Zendetta’s other musicians. Marco, always seeking to hone his craft, currently studies with Sergio Bellotti, and is consumed in his ongoing search for the “perfect” drum sound.

Music is what feelings sound like – Unknown
A classically trained pianist since the age of 7, Nathan McRae combines his classical training on piano with a love for jazz and R&B. His all time favorite musical artists include George Duke, Brian Culbertson, Oscar Peterson and Marcus Miller, but he listens to everything from Mozart, to Miles Davis, to Metallica. In his own words, his main goal as a musician is for his audience to not only hear the music but feel the music as well.