Born on 1 May: Zaz, the daughter Edith Piaf would have loved to have

She was born in 1980 near Tours (France) and, since childhood, music has been her entire life.

As a child, like many other youngsters, she dabbled with essential music theory, the piano, the guitar, and already choral singing. In the mid-90s, after her parents separated, the teenager chose to focus on what she already considered her best asset: her voice. She has boundless admiration for jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald, for the delicate prowess of Bobby McFerrin (the man behind "Don’t Worry Be Happy") but also for the great classics of French chanson, for those artists who have always successfully married well-crafted lyrics with elaborate melodies.

For about a decade, curious and eclectic, she multiplied her experiences in jazz and blues and within 4P, which could almost be described as countryside rap! Above all, she performed on every stage available to her, gradually learning what constitutes her strength today: an extraordinary presence that revives the memory of "La Môme", the always dazzling Edith Piaf.

She waited until she was nearly thirty to finally release a debut eponymous album, endorsed by Raphaël, who gave her three songs. In a somewhat inexplicable, almost magical manner, some would say, this first collection of songs (among which is "Je veux") scored a huge success not only in French-speaking countries but also charmed Russia, Greece, Germany, and even Czech Republic. A rare feat for a singer expressing herself in Voltaire's language! She has since released 5 studio albums. "Paris" (2014) consists solely of covers about the City of Light, including "La romance de Paris" (Charles Trénet) and "J’aime Paris au mois de mai" which she performs with its author Charles Aznavour. Her fifth opus, "Isa", already dates back to 2021. She also boasts two live recorded albums that only faintly reflect the energy she displays on stage.

Considered the natural heir of Edith Piaf since her covers of "Dans ma rue" (2010) and "Sous le ciel de Paris" (2014), Zaz never hesitates to include some of her songs in her repertoire such as "Padam Padam" for example. Still in incubation, the musical project about Piaf in which Zaz is supposed to play the lead role is waiting for the right cosmic alignment (and schedule availability) before coming to fruition. But today, there's talk of a premiere in Las Vegas next year...

Some Upcoming Concerts:

9 May; Palais des Expos) Liège (Belgium) also with Henei PFR, Orlane, Mentissa…

7 October: Forum - Liège (Belgium)

13 October: Stadsschouwburg - Antwerp (Belgium)

14 October: Cirque Royal - Brussels (Belgium)

3 December: Olympia - Paris (France)

Also throughout France and across Europe. The calendar can be found here: zazofficial.com

Photo: Zaz at the Gent Jazz Festival in Ghent (Belgium) on 11 July 2023