Biography
Dept. of Good and Evil took shape after a 100-date world tour throughout 2006 under the direction of the prodigiously talented pianist Rachel Z. Their self-titled debut recording secured the group a lasting position in music history. Leading one of the more innovative mainstream jazz ensembles introduced in 2007, Rachel Z (aka Rachel Nicolazzo) steered the band into fresh territory by choosing an eclectic blend of original, pop, alternative, and goth material arranged by Bobbie Rae, her longtime drummer, producer, and arranger. With the legendary Tony Levin returning on electric bass and Chapman Stick guitar parts and guest trumpeter Erik Naslund joining Rachel’s core trio of Rae and acoustic bassist Maeve Royce, Dept. of Good and Evil advanced beyond the perception of “yet another cover band” touring around the world to become adventurous musical collaborators hailed as “the best project of Rachel Z.”
The music of Dept. of Good and Evil centers on the fusion of contrasting styles. It honors and extends the swing of Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, and Joy Division, among others. The ensemble’s mission is to desegregate music. Its guiding principle, Rachel explains, is “about duality -- the music is fun, but it's serious. We're political, sarcastic and fully against the processed cheese food some music is.” She expands on the “harmonically evil” dimension of the project, explaining how pairing Royce and Rae’s “good groove department” with her own “evil” dark chords—primarily influenced harmonically by the 20th century classical vibe mastered by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock—has produced a surprisingly hip balance of adventurous moods that redefines the songs the band performs. “Dept. of Good and Evil is the best of everything for me, exciting material to work with and an incredible ensemble of players who I just love vibing with,” states Rachel.
Rachel Z was born and raised in Manhattan. A child prodigy, she graduated from the New England Conservatory with Distinction in Performance. In addition to founding Dept. of Good and Evil, she has established several ensembles, including Nardis and trios with Tracy Wormsworth and Cindy Blackmon, Allison Miller and Miriam Sullivan, and Levin and Rae, among others. She has recorded eight solo albums; performed with Najee, Steps Ahead, Al di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX, Angela Bofill, Mike Mainieri, Vertú, and Wayne Shorter; and was a member of Peter Gabriel’s band for five world tours and two DVDs.
A native of Annapolis, MD, the 22-year-old Royce was discovered as a student in a theory and performance class that Rachel teaches at New School University in New York. Royce made her recording debut with the release of Dept. of Good and Evil’s 2007 self-titled recording. Trumpeter Naslund also makes his recording debut on the band’s 2007 self-titled release. Longtime collaborator Rae serves as drummer, producer, and arranger for Dept. of Good and Evil. As a member of the “good” groove department, he is partnered with bassist Royce, and together their swinging, upbeat grooves keep the group’s vibe positive. A master drummer, Rae has performed worldwide with the Rachel Z Trio for several years with stops in Europe, North America, and Asia. The legendary electric bassist/Chapman stick aficionado Levin not only puts the “awe” in authentic, but his involvement in Dept. of Good and Evil adds an inimitable level of musical virtuosity to the group’s appeal. A solid box-office draw, Levin has toured with Seal, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Gary Burton, and Paul Simon, to name a few. His résumé includes performances on several television and motion picture soundtracks, collaborations on over 30 recordings including 18 King Crimson records, and session work as a guest artist on hundreds of recordings, including Everlasting as a member of the Rachel Z Trio.
These five fresh interpreters of edgy, goth, and rock songs are proving their musical worth together on stages around the world. Emotional and swinging, they offer a creative and inventive connection to another side of jazz—their way.
The music of Dept. of Good and Evil centers on the fusion of contrasting styles. It honors and extends the swing of Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, and Joy Division, among others. The ensemble’s mission is to desegregate music. Its guiding principle, Rachel explains, is “about duality -- the music is fun, but it's serious. We're political, sarcastic and fully against the processed cheese food some music is.” She expands on the “harmonically evil” dimension of the project, explaining how pairing Royce and Rae’s “good groove department” with her own “evil” dark chords—primarily influenced harmonically by the 20th century classical vibe mastered by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock—has produced a surprisingly hip balance of adventurous moods that redefines the songs the band performs. “Dept. of Good and Evil is the best of everything for me, exciting material to work with and an incredible ensemble of players who I just love vibing with,” states Rachel.
Rachel Z was born and raised in Manhattan. A child prodigy, she graduated from the New England Conservatory with Distinction in Performance. In addition to founding Dept. of Good and Evil, she has established several ensembles, including Nardis and trios with Tracy Wormsworth and Cindy Blackmon, Allison Miller and Miriam Sullivan, and Levin and Rae, among others. She has recorded eight solo albums; performed with Najee, Steps Ahead, Al di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX, Angela Bofill, Mike Mainieri, Vertú, and Wayne Shorter; and was a member of Peter Gabriel’s band for five world tours and two DVDs.
A native of Annapolis, MD, the 22-year-old Royce was discovered as a student in a theory and performance class that Rachel teaches at New School University in New York. Royce made her recording debut with the release of Dept. of Good and Evil’s 2007 self-titled recording. Trumpeter Naslund also makes his recording debut on the band’s 2007 self-titled release. Longtime collaborator Rae serves as drummer, producer, and arranger for Dept. of Good and Evil. As a member of the “good” groove department, he is partnered with bassist Royce, and together their swinging, upbeat grooves keep the group’s vibe positive. A master drummer, Rae has performed worldwide with the Rachel Z Trio for several years with stops in Europe, North America, and Asia. The legendary electric bassist/Chapman stick aficionado Levin not only puts the “awe” in authentic, but his involvement in Dept. of Good and Evil adds an inimitable level of musical virtuosity to the group’s appeal. A solid box-office draw, Levin has toured with Seal, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Gary Burton, and Paul Simon, to name a few. His résumé includes performances on several television and motion picture soundtracks, collaborations on over 30 recordings including 18 King Crimson records, and session work as a guest artist on hundreds of recordings, including Everlasting as a member of the Rachel Z Trio.
These five fresh interpreters of edgy, goth, and rock songs are proving their musical worth together on stages around the world. Emotional and swinging, they offer a creative and inventive connection to another side of jazz—their way.
Albums