An established performer across the Balkans, Zana Mesihovic has gained a solid reputation as a singer-songwriter, appearing regularly on screen, stage and radio. Her voice embodies the spirit and feist of Balkan Roma music and flirts with r&b, soul and jazz.
The result is a pure cross-cultural blend of the traditional and contemporary, with influences that stay true to her rich Balkan roots and her passion for jazz standards. Her music has been referred to as "Balkan Soul” or "World Soul". A typical set list would include Zana's original material, jazz standards and a few gipsy standards in Roma language.
Her background alone is a whirlwind ride. She spent her early childhood in Mostar in the former Yugoslavia, learning to play piano and winning local dance contests. But her musical sensibilities were quickly curtailed at the age of 11 - war broke out in Bosnia/Herzegovina. Her family was forced to sell their possessions in exchange for bus tickets, and flee as refugees to Sweden. Despite the upheaval, Zana resumed her music studies, and her talent soon came to the attention of world-renowned jazz pianist and vocal coach, Steven A. Garrick (worked with Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin). He took the precocious singer under his wing, tutoring her until his untimely passing, when Zana was just 13.
Undeterred by the loss of her mentor, she recorded her first demo at the age of 15, and immediately landed a record offer with Sony Music Sweden. By 16, the rising star had performed in front of a television audience of 20,000 in Sarajevo.
In 2006, Zana moved back to her war-shattered hometown Mostar to work as the "Musical Director" at United World College.
Zana's two EPs, Gotta Stop and Talk to me, released by Universal Music Sweden have drawn attention of major magazines and radio stations. After a live gig on Swedish national television, the Swedish newspaper "Metro" wrote that "Balkan is the new Jamaica" and another, well known daily magazine Aftonbladet called Zana's music "a different kind of soul".
Her videos, Gotta Stop, Never Loved This Way, Teces mi u venama (in Bosnian) have been in heavy rotation on Balkan music channels, while live performances have included appearances at Hoodsfred festival in Sweden, Budva Festival in Montenegro, Exit Festival in Serbia, Mostar Blues Fest in Bosnia.
She has written with and for artists and producers including the Swedish hip hop star Ayesha, the musician Sebastian Notini (Jorge Ben Jor, Eagle Eye Cherry) and noted producer and drummer Brady Blade (Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Dave Matthews), Danish hip hop producers The Lounge Lizards (KRS-ONE, Akon, Cee-Lo), with some tracks for Balkan hip hop compilations, and Bosnian artists, Jorgen Elofsson (Celine Dion, Brittney Spears) and Gardner Cole (Madonna, Tom Jones).
Her songs have so far been released on Universal, Sony BMG and Virgin EMI.
Her band, comprising of a group of amazing music graduates from Calarts, is working hard on creating a buzz and booking shows in California and a video shoot for the single "My Invention Of You" is scheduled with the award winning video music producer Q.
www.zanamusic.com
www.myspace.com/zanamusic
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Hey Fam! Really don't mean to bother you at all. Just want to say that my new video is out and I would appreciate if you WATCH it, RATE it n left a COMMENT.
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