My story

Album Release September 20th

Zana's 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. At the age of 11, when 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 attentioin of world-renowned jazz pianist and vocal coach, Steven A. Garrick (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, 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.

Then early 2009, Zana relocated to U.S. to study music and expand her career. There, she recorded her first self-produced world-jazz album “Balkan Soul”, featuring Harvey Mason on drums.

Zana’s song in the film The Lightkeepers was shortlisted for an Oscar for Best Original Song.

In 2012 Zana was awarded the Jerry Moss scholarship and has a degree in jazz from UCLA.

She has performed on stage with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and India Arie.

MY DUO Z.M.A and our new album “Kingdom”