Musician, Composer Earl Zindars Dies

Composer and musician Earl Zindars died Aug. 15 at his home in San Francisco after battling cancer. He was 77. The jazz and classical composer had composed his last piece less than a month ago, a work dedicated to his wife of 43 years and titled “Roses for Annig.”

Zindars was born in Chicago in 1927 and studied music composition at DePaul and Northwestern Universities in Chicago before studying at Oxford as a Fulbright scholar. As he was doing postgraduate work at New York City’s Columbia University, he met Anne Bohigian, a jazz singer headlining at Radio City Music Hall. Zindars was a timpanist in the band and they shared a rehearsal room. Six months later, they were married.

In 1963, the couple moved to San Francisco, where Zindars taught composition and theory for six years at San Francisco State College. He also began playing with the Ernie Heckshire Orchestra at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont Hotel and the San Francisco Golden Gate Park Band. He is best remembered, however, for his long association with pianist Bill Evans, which produced several recordings on Evans’ albums. Zindars tunes also appeared on albums by Cannonball Adderly, Dino Saluzzi, Tony Williams and Bill Cunliffe, among others. His classical compositions have been performed by groups including the International Chamber Orchestra of Rome, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and the San Jose Symphony Orchestra.

Zindars is survived by his wife, Anne, and his daughters Helene Zindarsian and Karen Zindarsian Ugarte, all of San Francisco.

Originally Published August 29, 2005