The New Sound of Old School from the most versatile jazz band on the West Coast -- performing EVERY weekend all over San Diego -- COOL JAZZ, SWING, BLUES, BOSSA NOVA, LOUIS PRIMA, RAT PACK classics and ROMANTIC STANDARDS.
Use the "ACTS" button to see all the talent in the Lodestarz family of entertainment.
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To get in touch with Franco Z or any band member, use the "Contact" button. (Your comments will be posted in our "Guest Book".)
Latest News
Z-BOP! -- Jazz in the Key of Z,
the most versatile jazz band on the West Coast
VINTAGE VEGAS, starring Laura Jane, with Franco Z
WIZE GUYZ, starring Don Wiseman, with Franco Z
FROM K to Z, starring Kasey Coe, with Franco Z
SINATRA with a Z, starring Michael Sinatra, with Franco Z
Franco Z
Musician-singer Franco Z is a New Jersey native who grew up loving West Coast jazz. Influenced by Gerry Mulligan, Lester Young and Ben Webster, Z started playing professionally at 15.
"Zigarelli was too tough a name for my first band leader to pronouce, especially toward the end of the last set, after he'd had a few drinks -- so only the first letter came out.
"But the experience of being in a house band, where regulars know you and you know their favorite songs, motivated me to try to duplicate that experience in the autumn of my years. I now work with some of the finest young talents you'll find anywhere.
"Bringing the music of legends like Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra and Stan Getz to new generations of fans is about as good as it gets."
Franco Z plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, flute and a wind sythesizer that creates the virtual tones of a variety of instruments (muted trumpet, trombone, bass clarinet, etc.). He sings in two languages (English and Italian).
Band Members
Current band members rotating through Z-BOP! gigs include CHAZ CHILCOTE (bass), CHRIS RIOS (keyboard), STEVE PICANZA (guitar), DON WISEMAN (vocals/drums), KASEY COE (vocals/hand percussion), ANDREW MICHEL (bass), ELIAS BERLINGER (drums), JACOB SUNDSTROM (guitar) and BURLEIGH DRUMMOND (drums).
GUEST STARS
Occasionally, Z-BOP! has been lucky enough to have been joined by Guest Stars, including LAURA JANE (vocals, star of "Vintage Vegas") and JESSE MICHEL (guitar).