David Zollo is an American singer, songwriter, author, and recording artist, playing piano and organ on his own albums and for other artists.
Biography
Early years
Iowa native Zollo learned piano at age 4. His grandfather E. Payson Re was a New York jazz pianist. Zollo's music tastes were influenced by his father's extensive collection of vintage American music, and while in his teens he sang rhythm and blues songs for family and friends.
High and Lonesome
In 1992, Zollo founded the Iowa City pub rock band High and Lonesome. Members included Zollo, Ruari Fennessy, Dustin Conner, Darren Mattews, and Jim Viner. High and Lonesome released three albums on Zollo's Trailer record label: Alackaday, Livefromgabes, and For Sale or Rent, all produced by Zollo and Bo Ramsey. Though they occasionally play reunion shows, the band dissolved while Zollo recovered from throat surgery. Zollo then formed the band Dave Zollo and the Body Electric. In 1996, Zollo moved to Nashville, joining Todd Snider's Nervous Wrecks band. When Snider downsized his band in 1997, Zollo returned to Iowa City.
Solo career
In 1994, Zollo released his first solo album The Morning Is A Long Way From Home, produced by Bo Ramsey. His 1998 album Uneasy Street began as a High and Lonesome recording, but was released as Zollo's solo album. It featured Ramsey, Andy Carlson, Marty Christensen, and Eric Griffin. In 2002, Zollo released the albumBig Night, on which he wrote all but one song. Helping out were Ramsey, Eric Straumanis, Jon Chamberlain, Chris Winter, Dale Thomas, Steven Howard, Brad Engeldinger, and Eric Griffin. For Hire in 2014 was Zollo's first recording since leaving Trailer Records. The band included Zollo, Hward, Brian Cooper, and Randall Davis.
Trailer Records
Inspired by the example of local artists' collective Shed Records, Zollo founded and operated Trailer Records from 1994 until 2005. Trailer Records released albums by Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, High and Lonesome, Pieta Brown, Brother Trucker, and Kelly Pardekooper. In 2005, with Zollo’s vocal chords fully recovered, he closed down Trailer Records to focus on touring and recording.
Middle Western
Zollo met Iowa musician William Elliott Whitmore when Whitmore gave Zollo a demo tape, and sat in with High and Lonesome in 1996. Since then, the two have performed shows together, and Zollo has played on Whitmore's albums. Zollo and Whitmore formed the band Middle Western in 2016, and planned to record an album. Other members of Middle Western include Stephen Howard, Stevie Doyle, and Brian Cooper.
