TOTO ZARA

Born in the Basque town of Tafalla, Spain, Toto Zara came from a large, musical family of four brothers and three sisters. Their father founded and ran Spain's largest and most prestigious private music school after completing his studies on classical guitar in Germany with fellow student, Andre Segovia.

 

During the 60's, the entire family performed throughout Europe based out of Paris. Similar to the popular American group, "The Osmond Brothers", Zaras performed in large concert venues and nightclubs in Italy, France, Germany, England and their home country of Spain. On two occasions, their family was invited to perform at the villa of Pablo Picasso and at the age of 8, Toto was featured guitarist and flamingo-dancer during public concerts by noted French composer Gilbert Becaud.

 

 

In the early 70's, Zaras teamed up with two cousins from Bilbao and released the pop-vocal hit "Eres Tu", one of only 5 foreign language songs to reach the top ten charts in history. As "Mocedaes" (musical youth), the entire family came to America to tour in support of their hit single. Performing in New York, Toronto, Miami, Las Vegas and other concert venues, Zaras began a run of bookings that continued for more than 5 years. Their demand in the top show clubs of North America highlighted the sibling's multi-instrumental and vocal talent.

 

 

During the mid 70's, Zaras was managed by 5th Dimension singer / songwriter Ron Thompson as they became a regular attraction in Las Vegas showrooms and cabarets.

In the early 1980's, Toto teamed up with Jazz / Latin performer Airto Momeira and toured several times into South America as featured guitarist / percussionist. Toto continued to perform with his own version of Zaras in Las Vegas as his oldest brother Marino relocated back to New York where he went on to manage jazz great Flora Purim and pop / vocal sensation Natalie Cole and super-group Starland Vocal Band.

 

 

Toto still performs in Las Vegas with his world music trio, and owns one of Las Vegas's biggest and most prolific recording studios, Midiworks. His band has been featured at Steve Wynn's "Mirage" hotel both in the show lounge as well as for Wynn's private parties, and has been the featured performer at Andrea Bocelli's private New Years Eve party at the Belagio for many years, including the gala Millennium celebration.

 

 

Toto was the featured "HP World Showcase Artist" at the Boise River Festival in 2002 and continues to return to the heavily Basque populated area of Boise, performing to elated audiences of all ages!