Marcel Zanini

Who is Marcel Zanini?

Marcel Zanini is a French jazz musician.

His family arrived in Marseille in 1930 and settled there. He began learning the clarinet in 1942 and joined the orchestra of Leo Missir in 1946. He founded his first band in the early 1950s. He left for the United States in 1954 and lived in New York for four years. He was the correspondent for the French magazine Jazz Hot. He returned to Marseille in 1958 and set up a new formation.

He went to Paris and in 1970 Leo Missir, now artistic director of the Barclay label, suggested he do a French adaptation of the Brazilian song by Wilson Simonal, "Nem vem que não tem" under the French name "Tu veux ou tu veux pas". It was a huge success and Zanini became famous for his little mustache, bucket hat and glasses.

He continues to play in jazz clubs and festivals in Paris with his sextet. He has played with many musicians,French and American, including Georges Arvanitas and Eddy Louiss.

He is the father of the author Marc-Edouard Nabe who sometimes accompanies him on guitar.

He lives in Yvelines.