Luigi Zaninelli

Italian-American composer from New Jersey, born March 30, 1932. He is currently the composer-in-residence at the University of Southern Mississippi. Luigi Zaninelli is a professional composer who began his musical career as a jazz pianist at the age of 12; at this same time, he discovered European art music. Since then, he has employed two names. Lou Hayward for his work as a solo jazz pianist and arranger and his given name, Luigi Zaninelli, for his serious compositions. He has published over 300 compositions and sold over 7 million copies. With the publication of his first major success, "The Water is Wide," his work would demonstrate a bold disregard for "fads" or "-isms." His work covers all genres. Critics have made note of his "melodic spontaneity," "harmonic freshness," and "emotional power." His voice is highly personal in its honest quest for beauty of expression.