 |
|
| |
Ask Leonisa
about her earliest musical memory and she’ll say
“Puccini, in utero.” Raised by two opera lovers
in a house filled with music, she learned at a young age
the art of interpreting songs. She studied piano, violin,
oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and voice. Originally
a soprano – studying opera and classical music –
her voice dropped in her twenties (ask her about that!)
and she discovered her love for singing Jazz.
Leonisa’s diverse interests and broad education
shine through in her singing, live performance and writing.
A one-time biologist, then science teacher, Leonisa earned
a Ph.D. in International Educational Development and became
a university professor. All the while, she studied jazz
with various teachers in NYC and performed regularly with
her band. Still firmly committed to improving education,
Leonisa currently is the Executive Director of the Salvadori
Center – a non-profit that uses the built environment
to teach teachers and children about architecture, engineering
and urban planning.
Leonisa met guitarist Chris Jennings in 1994 and a jazz
duo was born, which developed into a series of combos
over the years. The New York City-based Leonisa Ardizzone
Quartet which features Jennings on guitar, Bob Sabin on
bass and Justin Hines on drums, has been playing together
for eight years – and it shows. They support and
feed one another, creating a tight, energetic jazz experience.
The Leonisa Ardizzone Quartet interprets jazz standards
and originals in a way that will in turn have you weeping
for a lost love and smiling with joy. The mood of the
CD fluctuates between silly and sad, intense and light-hearted,
bold and sublime. |
|
|
|
|
|
