Story Follow Up – Peter Zeldman (3/5/58-2/28/23) – A Pioneer Of Multiple Pedal Orchestrations Has Died

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On January 19th we posted the story about a GoFundMe campaign for Peter Zeldman, there was serious hope that he could be helped with a new procedure.  Sadly, that procedure didn’t help, or even take place. You can read the story: HERE

In the below bio, portions were taken from his Drummerworld profile: HERE

Pete went to Berklee College of Music where he met and started gigging with fusion bands whose members included Baron Browne, Vic Bailey, Stu Hamm, Steve Vai and a host of other futures.

It was there that Pete recorded his first album with a Brazilian outfit that he was involved with. Pete would travel to New York to take some lessons with Kenwood Dennard.

When Pete went back to Pittsburgh, he got to play with some great artists at a jazz club called Heaven. These artists included Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Jimmy Ponder, Lee Konitz, Slide Hampton and Lew Soloff. This was a great opportunity and was a welcome part of his early education. At the same time, he was doing outdoor jazz festivals with American hard bop sax player Nathan Davis.

Pete was one of the pioneers of multiple pedal orchestrations.

We encourage you to read about him at the above link, if you are not familiar with him, he has accomplished much including contributing greatly to the drumming community.

The announcement of his death was posted on his GoFundMe page by organizer and friend Cindy Shapiro on March 4th 2023.

Dear GoFundMe funders —

It’s my sad task to let you know that the great Pete Zeldman left our world and went on to the next on February 28, 2023 at 5pm GMT. As I grapple with my own personal grief, the world tragically has lost a musician and theorist of staggering genius. As I have written elsewhere, if Bach tempered the scale, Pete Zeldman tempered time. It is now the work of those of us who knew, collaborated with, struggled to understand, studied under and/or venerated Pete’s contribution to the understanding of music and time to bring that knowledge to the rest of the world. We take this responsibility seriously, given the enormity of Pete’s contribution.

As supporters of Pete’s health and well-being, I will keep you updated as to our progress in these endeavors.

Pete’s beautiful wife Cheryl has made sure that regardless of where you are physically in the world, you will be able to observe his funeral through a live stream, which will remain available for 28 days afterwards.”


His funeral took place March 31st. Please consider continuing to make donations at his GoFundMe page: HERE

On February 10th, 2023 – Pete was a guest on Vinnie Colaiuta’s “Breakfast With Vinnie” Podcast.

Episode 49 – Sobriety and Clarity Breakfast with Vinnie!

  This episode explores the deeper meaning of sobriety — as a state of clear, present, and intentional living. Vinnie emphasizes how mental clarity and spiritual connection are essential for genuine sobriety, extending beyond just avoiding substances.     Finding a sober community is about moving from isolation to connection. Whether you are looking for spiritual fellowship, secular support, or active lifestyle groups, there are several localized and national resources to help you find your "tribe." [1]   1. 12-Step and Spiritual Fellowships These programs are widely available and often serve as the first point of contact for many.   Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A global fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope to stay sober and help others recover. Use the AA Meeting Guide App to find thousands of local meetings nearby. Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Similar to AA, NA focuses on recovery from all types of drugs. You can search for local chapters and meeting schedules on their official website. Celebrate Recovery (CR): A Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with "hurts, hang-ups, and habits". [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 2. Secular and Evidence-Based Alternatives If you prefer a program grounded in self-empowerment or science rather than a specific spiritual framework, consider these options:   SMART Recovery: Focuses on a 4-Point Program of self-empowerment and cognitive-behavioral tools. You can find local or virtual meetings through their online database. LifeRing Secular Recovery: A network of support groups that emphasizes three core principles: Sobriety, Secularity, and Self-Help. Women for Sobriety (WFS): A non-profit program specifically for women, focusing on emotional and spiritual growth through 13 affirmation statements. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS): A nonprofit network of independent groups that values scientific research and personal responsibility over a higher power. [8, 9, 10, 11, 12]         3. Active and Digital Communities Modern technology has made it easier to connect with sober people through shared interests and social platforms. [1, 13]   The Phoenix: A sober active community that offers free in-person and virtual activities like yoga, CrossFit, and hiking for anyone with 48 hours of sobriety. Loosid App: A comprehensive social app for sober individuals that includes features for sober dating, local event guides, and community chat groups. I Am Sober App: Provides a platform for tracking milestones and connecting with community members who share similar addiction profiles for peer support. [13, 14, 15, 16, 17] 4. Local and National Referral Services If you need help finding specific treatment or support in your immediate area:   SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for 24/7, free, confidential treatment referrals and information. FindTreatment.gov: An anonymous resource to locate state-licensed facilities for substance use and mental health disorders throughout the U.S.. 211 Services: In many areas, dialing 2-1-1 connects you with local specialists who can provide information on community-based support groups and social services. [10, 18, 19, 20, 21]   [1] https://www.horowitzhealth.com [2] https://www.aa.org [3] https://www.aa.org [4] https://ncaddnational.org [5] https://resoluterecovery.com [6] https://fellowshipnwa.org [7] https://www.therecoveryvillage.com [8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [9] https://rehabs.com [10] https://collegiaterecovery.ucla.edu [11] https://alpaswellnesscenters.org [12] https://elevaterehab.org [13] https://www.facebook.com [14] https://loosidapp.com [15] https://thephoenix.org [16] https://loosidapp.com [17] https://www.onlinetreatmentprograms.com [18] https://findtreatment.gov [19] https://findtreatment.gov [20] https://findtreatment.gov [21] https://rehabs.org                  
  1. Episode 49 – Sobriety and Clarity
  2. Episode 48 – Special Guest Dweezil Zappa
  3. Episode 47 – Special Guest Sheila E.
  4. Episode 46 – Special Guest Mike Clark
  5. Episode 45 – Aftermath A Line Crossed

Rest well Pete.