Jizzy Pearl, Ruben Martinez, Robin Diaz, Claudette Lyons, and producer Danny Saber team up with the Sarzo brothers for Gianluca Zanna’s anthem of liberation
Zanna Records has announced the global launch of “Cuba Libre Rising,” a fresh take on a song that first emerged from a dream and stayed with its creator for over twenty years. Penned by Gianluca Zanna, the piece serves as a tribute to exile, liberty, and the unyielding spirit of the Cuban people. Since August 20, it has been accessible via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, and other key digital services.
Captured on July 27 at Clear Lake Recording Studio, the session featured a star-studded cast with deep ties to the track’s theme. Cuban-born siblings Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Robert Sarzo (guitar and percussion) left Havana as youngsters in 1961 before forging acclaimed rock careers. Their resumes include work with Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Dio, and Hurricane. On a composition centered on their birthplace, the brothers contribute more than instrumentation—they bring lived experience. Love/Hate frontman Jizzy Pearl shares vocal duties with Ruben Martinez, the track’s original singer and the child of Cuban refugees. Robin Diaz (Candlebox, Hole, P.O.D., Live) anchors the recording on drums and percussion, while Claudette Lyons supplies backing vocals. Danny Saber, whose credits encompass The Rolling Stones, U2, David Bowie, Michael Hutchence, and Black Grape, handled production.
A Dream That Became a Song
The narrative of “Cuba Libre” stretches back well before the 2026 recording date. Zanna first heard its melody in a dream populated by imagery of Cuban streets, protests, hungry children, and government brutality. He awoke during the night and crafted the music and lyrics, despite having limited knowledge at the time of Cuba’s struggles. In 2005, he cut the original version with Martinez, then carried the piece forward while awaiting the ideal moment and collaborators to bring it to full life.
“Having Rudy and Robert Sarzo—two men who actually lived the exile this song describes—perform on ‘Cuba Libre,’ with Danny Saber producing and Ruben returning to sing the song he first gave a voice to, is far beyond anything I could have planned,” Zanna said. “Some things you do not arrange. Fate arranges them for you.” The original 2005 recording later resurfaced organically on TikTok among Cuban activists, helping to spark the decision to revisit the track.
Dedication
“Cuba Libre Rising” is devoted to the Cuban people who continue to pursue freedom and to the memory of Cuban-born actor Tomás Milián. Zanna, who grew up in a public boarding school in Rome dreaming of coming to America, recalls Milián’s Maresciallo Giraldi character and Roman slang as a source of comfort during those years—another Cuban-born artist who discovered his voice far from home.
Recording and Release Details
Music and lyrics: Gianluca Zanna. Producer: Danny Saber. Executive producer: Gianluca Zanna. Bass: Rudy Sarzo. Guitar and percussion: Robert Sarzo. Vocals: Jizzy Pearl and Ruben Martinez. Background vocals: Claudette Lyons. Drums and percussion: Robin Diaz. Audio engineer: Eric Milos. Original 2005 arrangements: Simone Sello.
The release includes “Cuba Libre Rising (Official Version)” and “Cuba Libre Rising (Radio Edit),” along with the “Cuba Libre” Andrei Murariu Remix and the “Cuba Libre Rising” Danny Saber Remix. A behind-the-scenes video documenting the recording session, captured by Agency 32, accompanies the release campaign.
About Zanna Records
Zanna Records is an independent music label founded and run by Gianluca Zanna without major-label support. Performing as Luca in the EDM duo Luca and Claudette alongside singer Claudette Lyons, the Rome-born, Arizona-based songwriter has built a catalog spanning EDM, rock, and classical music. The label reports verified radio airplay across more than 500 stations in 99 countries and territories on six continents. Zanna’s YouTube channel has more than 43 million total views and 50,000 subscribers, and his YouTube Music channel reaches 1.58 million monthly listeners. Learn more at www.zannarecords.com.
RJ Sarzo
Agency 32 PR
RJ@Agency32inc.com
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Cuba Libre Rising – A song for every Cuban who is seeking Freedom by Gianluca Zanna
