Recordings - Audio
“The Queen of Marimba Reigns Supreme. One of the best marimba albums ever recorded. [Zeltsman's] arrangement of Suzanne Vega’s 'Gypsy' is worth the price of the CD alone. No one should be without this recording. (5 stars out of 5)”
— Amazon.com customer - reviewing "Woodcuts" album
“'Poconos' is an inventive and immersive tapestry of sound and rhythm. Truly unique and totally compelling.”
— Fred Hersch, jazz pianist/composer
Nancy Zeltsman & Jack Van Geem - marimba duo
Despite living on opposite coasts, the team has occasionally, meaningfully collaborated since 2000. They recorded two marimba duo albums, Pedro & Olga Learn to Dance (self-issued, 2004) and American Gifts for Marimba Duo (Bridge Records, 2020), and taught together at numerous Zeltsman Marimba Festivals.
A highlight of their work was the premiere and many subsequent performances of Michael Tilson Thomas' 31-minute composition Island Music (for two solo marimbas, two supporting marimbas, and two percussionists). A recording from live performances by Zeltsman and the San Francisco Symphony percussionists in 2005 is included on American Gifts. It was re-issued on Grace: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas (Pentatone, 2024): a four-disc set featuring 18 compositions by MTT spanning more than five decades, released in celebration of his 80th birthday.
“This is marvelous: Nancy Zeltsman and Jack Van Geem have taken works we know ... and given us wildly entertaining, sonically stimulating, truly artful renditions courtesy of two marimbas ... all the way to Michael Tilson Thomas' 'Island Music,' which was inspired by a trip to Bali. If you've never heard a marimba duo, begin here: it's a delight.”
— American Record Guide (2021) - reviewing "American Gifts" album