New York City has long been a place to inspire artists. Countless thousands have tried to claw their way up a slippery slope trying to get some kind of recognition in a city that sets the highest standards for artists, yet also puts up roadblocks at every turn. For about 30 years, under the somewhat international sounding moniker, "Zan Zone", songwriter and guitarist Zan Burnham has been putting together various musical endeavors in that city, releasing now five albums and two EP's. Recognition has been scant, yet - still positive and growing. As many have observed, overnight success usually takes years - or decades.

Back in 1995, Zan Zone released its first CD, "Zan Zone", to critical acclaim. The Musician's Exchange called the eponymous album, "Way cool.....truly an original CD..... the playing is first rate and so are the grooves and songs......It's wonderful and a definite keeper.” Time And A Word said, “An impressive debut disc." The Music Paper noted its variety and excellent production. Performing Songwriter said that Zan Zone "has something to say," and Rockline's Guennivere simply stated that, "This is one of the best CD's I've reviewed. The music is solid, the vocals are great, and I think everyone should check them out." In the 1990's, Zan Zone frequently performed at NY clubs such as CBGBs, The New Music Cafe, Kenny's Castaways, The Lone Star Roadhouse, Fat Tuesdays, The Bitter End, Arlene's Grocery, The Pyramid Club, The Village Gate, and numerous other clubs and engagements.
 

Together since the early-1990s, the band found that a few years after the album was released, incipient marriages and babies caused the band to splinter and re-group a few times. While a three-song EP was released in 1997, the pressures of everyone’s family lives finally put a halt to that version of the group in 1998. Zan continued to practice and write music while gut-renovating a 100-year-old house in Brooklyn, NY, where he currently lives. In 2005, he finally found the time to release a second Zan Zone EP, 2005's all-solo, "Watching The World". He followed that in 2009 with an all-acoustic CD, "Time And Materials", which was recorded with a trio that, unfortunately, barely stayed together for two years.
 

Regrouping, in 2013, ZAN ZONE released the double-album length project, "Shorts". The 73 minute project utilized 19 musicians and singers, recording 13 songs over a three year period. Shorts also introduced bassist Saadi Zain, and reunited Zan with long time friend and singer, Philip Dessinger. Critics responded, calling it: "Inventive, funny, infectious, intelligent, catchy…” "An unprecedented cornucopia of various musical styles - designed for people who are interested in the unusual and enjoy looking outside of the box." “an album with very clever songs that deserve to reach a wider audience." At least SOME folks got it…
 

In 2018, ZAN ZONE released IT’S ONLY NATURAL, a true rock ’n’ roll record in the tradition of many of the great classic rock bands. Once again, critics and fans loved the album. Besides, in 2018, calling the album “Infectious”, critics said things like “Soaring”, “Electrifying”, Uplifting”, “Heartfelt”, etc. One critic said that ZAN ZONE makes the kind of music that “could appeal to millions upon millions of music fans”. The few shows that ZAN ZONE did in 2019 only enlarged the band’s appeal, with audiences loving the live act.
 

ZAN ZONE was going great guns as 2018 turned into 2019. A new drummer came on board and he and Zan were able to practice together regularly, which created a foundation for some live shows and also for what became the beginnings of the fifth album, START WHERE YOU STAND. Marko, Zan and Saadi all recorded some live tracks together in June of 2019, and then individuals came in to do their parts. Eventually, 12 songs were started - and then came Covid-19.
 

The general discombobulations caused everything to grind to a halt and over the next couple of years ZAN ZONE struggled to keep the project alive. One singer departed and a new one came along, but little by little the project progressed and finally came to a conclusion in April, 2022, over three years after it was started.
The official release date for START WHERE YOU STAND was June 18th, 2022. Since then, it has received wonderful comments from a variety of reviewers, most of whom are from the Prog-Rock world. But Zan Zone also has a pop element as well, which increases the appeal.
 

Zan Zone has now made three videos so far for the SWYS album. They are currently rehearsing a little, adding another member or two, and hope to play some shows in the spring of 2023.