Luiza Zan

Born in Tulcea (October 7th 1980), Luiza Zan is one of the prominent figures in Romanian jazz. With virtuosity and elegance, her warm yet imposing voice easily knocks down the barrier of patterns and preconceptions.

She won numerous awards in Romanian jazz and classical singing competitions, her passion for competing thus leading to the prestigious and undeniably most worthy second award in Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition in July 2014, at the oldest jazz festival in Europe and one of the most acclaimed jazz festivals in the world.

She completes her music studies in Iassy, at the University of Arts George Enescu, section camber mi – lied/oratorio/catata, under the hand of prof. Marie-Jeanne Stoia, but she constantly assist and participates in workshops and masterclasses with renowned musicians: Dennis Chambers, Neena Freelon, etc, before becoming a teacher herself – between 2008 and 2010 teaches vocal jazz at the National University of Music Bucharest and between 2010-2014 she teaches ”vocal technique” at the music camp IconArts.

She studied jazz with American saxophone player Rick Condit (McNeese State University) and American pianist Armen Donelian (New School of Jazz – New York).

In july 2014 she wins first prize at the International Music Festival ” The Golden Stagg”, alongside Slang.

MUSIC
Passionate and tender, fiery and compassionate, these are a few words that could encompass Luiza’s music. New jazz inspired by Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves and, most of all, Nat “King”Cole. Sould and funk inspired by Aretha Franklin, Chakka Khan, Erykah Badu. Hip Hop and R & B inspired by Bilal, Angie Stone, D’Angelo.
All – features of a voice full of strength and experience.
She sang with important names from Romania and around the world. Sorin Romanescu, Mircea Tiberian, Pedro Negrescu, Romeo Cosma, Ion Baciu Jr, Mihai Iordache, Alex Man, Abert Tajti, Liviu Butoi, Nicolas Simion, Arthur Balogh, Catalin Milea, Sebastian Burneci, Vlad Popescu, Emil Bâzgă, National Radio Big Band and many other Romanian artists, but also international figures like: Rick Condit, Dave Stamps, Petras Geniusas, Corrine Chapelle, Gyarfas Istvan, Berkes Balazs, Peter Sarik, UNC Jazz Lab 1, McNeese State University Big Band and others.

She wrote music for film, for the productions „Carambol”, „Circul Vesel” (an HBO production) and „Maria” (nominated for „best documentary ” at the Lucarno film festival in March 2013).
She wrote music for theatre plays – for Năpasta – directed by Radu Afrim –which plays at the National Theater in Bucharest, and the music for Trei Rupturi – also directed by Radu Afrim – which plays at Andrei Mureșanu Theater in Sfântu Gheorghe and with Luiza Zan appearing live and singing for the duration of the play.
She wrote countless pieces of music for audio and TV commercials.
She is a customary presence on the stages of theatres, concert halls, clubs and festivals in Romania and all over the world.
She is constantly named a jury member in festivals, not only music in particular, but also theater (Gala Hop – 2015) and film (NexT Film Festival – short films international jury - 2016).

DISCOGRAPHY

2005 – „SLANG” – Slang , Zone Records
2010 – „Colinde și Povești de Crăciun” – Sorin Romanescu, Luiza Zan – Soft Records
2012 – „Like Water” – Pedro Negrescu, Luiza Zan – Soft Records (named „best album of the year” by „Observatorul cultural” and „Muzici si faze”)
September 2014 – ”Romanian Impressions” – Nicolas Simion Trio – with Nicolas Simion and Sorin Romanescu
March 2016 – ”Heritage” – Luiza Zan (an author album recordet at SuperSizeStudios Budapest with Sarik Peter, Gyarfas Istvan, Fonay Tibor, Attila Galfi and Ioana Mardare) – produced by Luiza Zan and released with the help of FiverHouse Records.
April 2016 – „Live! Luiza Zan si Big Bandul Radio” – Editura Casa Radio