Ziad is the artistic director for "Jazz at the Bechtler." a monthly jazz series with two shows each first Friday at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art where he programs the annual schedule and performs with the Ziad Jazz Quartet. Each concert has sold out since the series began in May 2010.
Ziad has recorded with national artists inclduing James Brown, John P. Kee, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, the Impressions and many more. He has performed live with Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Laws, Tom Scott, Tony Bennett, Jon Smith (Edgar Winter & White Trash), Mic Gillette (Tower of Power), Ron Holloway, Russell Malone, Chris Brubeck, The Brubeck Bros., Greg Karukas, Paul Brown, to name a few. Ziad has also performed as an opening act for Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Buddy Rich, The Crusaders, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, The Ohio Players...
After four years in the Wake Forest University Jazz Ensemble and graduating with a degree in Political Science and Philosophy, Ziad studied jazz theory with Bill Hanna (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman). He went on to study advanced jazz improvisation for 3.5 years privately, with internationally acclaimed educator/author/musician, Jerry Coker, at University of Tennessee.