Biography
The search results reveal multiple artists named or performing as 'Zanna,' making a unified biography impossible without disambiguation. The most prominent figure is Gianluca Zanna, an Italian-born, US-based songwriter and music producer born and raised in Rome, Italy. Sent to boarding school at age 10, Gianluca discovered music as an escape from the structured environment, teaching himself guitar, bass, and drums after discovering forgotten instruments in the school's attic. His early influences included Giorgio Moroder and Jean-Michel Jarre, and he was significantly shaped by producer Brian Reeves, known for work with Donna Summer, U2, and Billy Idol. Gianluca founded Zanna Records, his own label through which he has released over 120 original compositions, establishing himself as a versatile artist working across pop, rock, EDM, and dance genres. Beyond music, he is also a successful entrepreneur, bodyguard, Krav-Maga practitioner, and firearms instructor. Separately, there is a female singer-songwriter named Zanna from southern California (born in San Diego, raised in Orange County) who works in folk, jazz, rock, and world music genres, pulling from her classical piano training that began in childhood. Additionally, a Brazilian artist named Zanna from Rio de Janeiro has released albums 'Voyage to Brazilia' and 'Karmalions' in the Bossa Nova style.
Fun Facts
- Gianluca Zanna discovered his musical calling through a collection of forgotten instruments hidden in his boarding school's attic, which he taught himself to play
- The melodic motifs for his EDM track 'Mystique' came to him via a dream while he was playing on the beach on a desert island
- Gianluca Zanna created a comic book titled 'The Adventure of Mr. Zanna - The Beginning' that details his life story, with an accompanying musical soundtrack that blends dance, EDM, pop, and classical genres
- As CEO of Zanna Records, Gianluca has produced over 120 original compositions and is expanding into international artist collaborations
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Giorgio Moroder - Early musical influence during formative years (General stylistic influence on electronic music approach) [Childhood/adolescence]
- Jean-Michel Jarre - Early musical influence during formative years (General stylistic influence on synthesizer and electronic composition) [Childhood/adolescence]
- Brian Reeves - Record producer and mastering engineer who shaped Gianluca Zanna's sonic vision (Mastering work on multiple Gianluca Zanna tracks including 'Mystique') [Recent years/ongoing]
Key Collaborators
- Claudette Lyons - Collaborative partner with Gianluca Zanna (Love In Sedonia) [Recent years]
- Andrei Murariu - Arranger for Gianluca Zanna's instrumental EDM work (Arrangement on 'Mystique') [Recent years]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| evermore | 2020-12-10 | Album |
| Trouble Will Find Me | 2013-05-20 | Album |
| First Two Pages of Frankenstein | 2023-04-28 | Album |
| High Violet | 2010-05-10 | Album |
| Boxer | 2007-05-21 | Album |
| I Am Easy to Find | 2019-05-17 | Album |
| Rome | 2024-12-13 | Album |
| Sleep Well Beast | 2017-09-08 | Album |
| Laugh Track | 2023-09-18 | Album |
| evermore (deluxe version) | 2021-01-07 | Album |
| Boxer | 2007-05-22 | Album |
| High Violet | 2010-05-11 | Album |
| Alligator | 2005-04-11 | Album |
Top Tracks
- The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift) (First Two Pages of Frankenstein)
- I Need My Girl (Trouble Will Find Me)
- coney island (feat. The National) (evermore (deluxe version))
- coney island (feat. The National) (evermore)
- About Today - 2021 Remaster
- Light Years (I Am Easy to Find)
- Fake Empire (Boxer)
- coney island (feat. The National) (evermore)
- Don't Swallow the Cap (Trouble Will Find Me)
- Bloodbuzz Ohio (High Violet)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Zanna has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2025 | 14:34 | Pe de Vento | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis |