Jonathan Drew Zingg

Jonathan Drew Zingg
1957 – 2025

Drew Zingg, an acclaimed guitarist celebrated for his contributions to jazz, rock and blues,
passed away on April 7 in San Francisco. He is deeply mourned by his beloved family and all
who knew and loved him.
Born in New York City, Drew took up the guitar at the age of 8 and within a handful of years, his
prodigious talent was evident to all those who heard him play. Once Drew saw Jimi Hendrix
perform live in the Spring of 1968, the die was cast and it set him on the path that he followed
for the next 50+ years. Drew immersed himself in the vibrant NYC music scene and he can be
heard on the landmark 1991 album The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon.
Drew’s love of music knew no bounds as he effortlessly navigated different genres including
jazz, rock, soul, and pop. Most music fans first heard Drew when he took on the role of lead
guitarist for Steely Dan’s reunion tour, their first in 20 years, in 1993 and the spring of 1994. He
is featured on their live album "Alive in America”. Drew was admired for his fluid, clean and
articulate phrasing and a style that seamlessly blended technical precision with deep musicality.
Drew attended Buckley School, Loomis and Trinity High School in NYC and graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College. In 2000, Drew met Katerina in NYC; the couple
moved to California in 2003. Drew toured with Boz Scaggs for over a decade providing smooth,
soulful guitar lines that complemented Scaggs' blend of R&B, blues, and rock. In 2004, Drew
contributed to the release "Boz Scaggs: Greatest Hits Live” recorded at San Francisco's Great
American Music Hall. Drew performed at Broadway shows in NYC and Las Vegas including
Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, and Smokey Joe’s Café, which won a Grammy Award.
After marrying Katerina in 2007, they moved to San Francisco. In 2012, Drew released his self-
titled solo album featuring an all-star lineup of guest musicians, including Michael McDonald,
David Sanborn, Will Lee, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Donald Fagen. Drew performed with regularity in
the Bay Area at SFJAZZ Center, Monterey Jazz Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Yoshi’s,
sharing the stage with many Bay Area musicians including the drummer/big band leader Tommy
Igoe, as well as with Chester Thompson, Steely Dan drummer Keith Carlock, Aaron Lington,
Steffen Kuehn and saxophonist Tom Scott.
Drew devoted his life to his extraordinary gift, and his unwavering passion for his art and kind
spirit inspired both his family and fellow musicians. Drew was an amazing dad and a
tremendous source of love and support to his family. He is survived by his wife Katerina
Akassoglou, his son Levon, his brothers Peter and Chris, their wives Rachel and Amanda, and
nephews Nathaniel, Andrew, Marshall, and Emma Zingg.
Services for Drew will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Episcopal Church of
St. Mary the Virgin, 2325 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123. Online condolences may be left
for the family at https://www.duggansfuneralservice.com/obituary/Jonathan-Zingg. In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made in honor of Drew Zingg to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
https://www.sweetrelief.org/general-fund.html or other art organizations supporting musicians
and the arts.

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