Meet Pizazz!

When a local club owner casually mentioned one night that the best musicians he knew weren’t playing with a band, a light bulb went on in the heads of lead singer Kent Zimmerman and sound man Robbie Franklin.   The two veteran musicians gathered together the best talent they knew of and The Pizazz Band was born.  That was over 10 years ago and The Pizazz Band is still going strong.

Tired of boring performances and lack of variety in song selection, the co-leaders had only one requirement of a song-you had to be able to dance to it.  Musicians accustomed to playing strictly beach or country or rock were suddenly playing all three plus others.  The depth of the talent became obvious when these musicians adapted with ease to the different styles.  The show might start with “The Electric Slide” and end with Hinder’s “Lips Of An Angel” with Big and Rich’s “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” in the middle.  This diversity makes the band a hit with fans of all ages and musical preferences.

On stage, front man and co-leader Kent Zimmerman is huge in talent.  Slick dance moves and a wide vocal range provide endless entertainment for audiences.  In constant motion, Kent works the stage and the audience all night.  Guitars heat up in the hands of transplanted Californian Mark Davidson.   Combined with his gravelly vocals, Mark brings the rock to the band and the crowds to the stage!  On drums, South Boston, Virginia’s Chip Johnson’s smooth licks and high vocals add depth and consistency.  As the newest member of Pizazz!, we know our fans will make him welcome!  Bass guitarist Kenny Hancock brings over 30 years experience to the band-experience he gained while playing with such names as The Coasters, Clifford Curry, and The Royal Kings.  The band’s beach fix comes in the form of Rick Sander’s and his keyboards.  Rick has played with such beach music greats as The Band of Oz and The Entertainers.  While with Billy Scott and the Prophets, Rick released “Long Legs All The Way Up” which climbed to number three on the beach music charts.  And, though he started playing guitar in a band when he was 15, Robbie Franklin keeps everybody sounding and looking good on sound and lights in the back of the room for Pizazz.

The Pizazz Band is able to entertain a wide range of ages and musical preferences by gearing their extensive play lists to their audiences-heavy on the beach and funk for the private parties, top 40 and rock for the clubs, and a little bit of everything for the many festivals and corporate functions that they do during the year.   Costume changes, audience participation, and crazy antics keep audiences on their toes.

Crowds of over 10,000 welcome the band back year after year at the North Carolina Watermelon Festival.  Seafood Festival goers danced on stage with The Pizazz Band in Morehead City, 100 degree weather didn’t deter Cantaloupe Festival audiences, and the band rocked the crowd at the Annual Azalea Festival. 

Kent Zimmerman - Lead Vocals

Co-Leader

Roxboro, NC

Robbie Franklin  - Sound and Lights

Co-Leader

Scottsburg, Virginia

Rick Sanders - Keyboards

Raleigh, NC

Kenny Hancock - Bass Guitar

Martinsville, VA 

Chip Johnson - Drummer

South Boston, VA

Mark Davidson - Guitar

Danville, VA