French Jazz Musician Marcel Zanini Dies at 99

French jazz musician Marcel Zanini, who is popular with the hit “Tu veux ou tu veux pas,” passed away in Paris at the age of 99.

Zanini was born on 9 September 1923 in Istanbul to a Greek Orthodox mother from Turkey and a father from Marseilles with Neapolitan origins.

In 1930, his family left Turkey and settled in Marseille. He fell in love with jazz when he was 19 years old.

After demobilization, he was hired in a nightclub in Marseille, where he played with a pianist and a drummer. In 1946, he toured with the orchestra of his friend Léo Missir.

In 1969, Missir suggested Zanini do a French remake of the popular Brazilian song “Nem vem que no tem.” The song was released under the French name “Tu veux ou tu veux pas” (You want to or you don’t.

Eventually, the track became a huge success. Following the massive success, Zanini continued playing in jazz clubs and festivals in Paris with his sextet. He even played with musicians like Georges Arvanitas and Eddy Louis.