Manchester-based producer and DJ Zar is the artist name of Pierluigi Cataldi Zardetto, who has Italian roots. Zardetto graduated from Spirit Studios’ Electronic Music and DJ Practice course in 2021. His sound draws on jazz and soul, with his drum and bass described as soulful and liquid. An early release was the 2019 single Rare Groove Volume One on Liquid Lab.
Zar has released music on Gemini Gemini, Footnotes, Rosebay Music, V Recordings, Space Cadet, Shogun Audio and Liquid V, and works closely with Gemini Gemini, Space Cadet and Footnotes. His releases include the EP In Time, made with Verbz, India Shan and Note, and the EP Light Stain at Dawn on Create Define Release. His debut album, Anima, came out on DRS’s Space Cadet imprint. Collaborators across his work include Mystic State, Diligent Fingers, EVABEE, Duskee, Dan Harris, Milansugar, Riya and aya dia.
In 2025, Zar released the single Always You on Liquid V and The Soul Marauders with T.R.A.C. on SUNANDBASS Recordings. His 2026 releases include the single Milestones, Act II with DRS on Space Cadet and the album Milestones, Act I & II with DRS on Footnotes. He also released the single Gettin' Sentimental with Jess Edie and Note on Shogun Audio. On 25 September 2026, Zar played at Notting Hill Arts Club.