Leonisa Ardizzone @ All About Jazz

Updated: September 26, 2019

Born: December 12, 1968

Raised by Italian opera lovers, Ardizzone began studying music at age 4 – first piano and voice, then violin at age 8 and oboe in high school. In her twenties, she found jazz.

While music was her deep love, Ardizzone’s curiosity and zest for life took her on a wild and impulse-driven journey of exploration and learning. Ardizzone has always lived her life in “Yes!” and thus rarely backs down from an opportunity for discovery. She became a biologist and then a science educator, eventually getting a doctorate from Columbia University in International Peace Education.

During her studies and subsequent work as a professor and non-profit executive, Leonisa played jazz gigs at New York City clubs including Sweet Rhythm, Iridium, Danny’s, the Duplex, and the Kitano.

The Leonisa Ardizzone Quartet formed in 1997 and released two critically acclaimed CDs, Afraid of the Heights in 2007 and the scent of bitter almonds in 2009. Critics praised the group, saying the quartet “is flexible and can turn on a dime…everyone is obviously having a good time with the music” (George Harris, All About Jazz), and sounds “at home with each other so it’s easy to feel at home with them” (Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway).

In 2010, shortly after the release of the quartet’s second album, Ardizzone found herself a solo mom, and her focus was squarely on raising her child. Thanks to her education background, she held various creative day jobs (even starting her own science center) and continued to make music—although not as much as she would have liked— playing gigs with her quartet and curating (as well as leading) a Jazz Vespers series at the 4th Universalist Society on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

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Album Reviews

Afraid of the Heights by Marcia Hillman
Afraid Of The Heights by Michael P. Gladstone

“Perhaps one of the hardest-working women I’ve run across...Ms. Ardizzone once again hits the mark, surrounded by a great backing group. Ms. Ardizzone’s voice won’t overpower; instead, she stays well within the envelope, blending seamlessly with the rest of the group. Engaging and endearing - through her choice of material and her way with a lyric, you’ll feel like you’ve made a new friend. Good stuff. “ - Doug Boynton, Girl Singers.com

“Leonisa Ardizzone has a sweetly swinging vocal style and is ably backed by a fine Quintet...She is a seasoned performer who has all the equipment and uses it well.” - John Gilbert, Ejazznews

“Ardizzone is one of those pure artists that kicks it out for the pure joy of doing so

“Leonisa Ardizzone has a sweetly swinging vocal style and is ably backed by a fine Quintet...She is a seasoned performer who has all the equipment and uses it well.” - John Gilbert, Ejazznews

“Ardizzone is one of those pure artists that kicks it out for the pure joy of doing so. A vocalist with deep chops, she takes equal delight in bringing something new to chestnuts or just doing something new from a cohort. With a sympathetic crew backing her up, this is a wonderful date for anyone on the prowl for a new jazz vocalist that brings nothing but the right stuff to the table.” - Chris Spector , Midwest Record

“The Scent of Bitter Almonds… is an intriguing listening experience. [Ardizzone] is not simply a vocalist working with a trio, but, as is the case with the widely popular Tierney Sutton Band, Ardizzone seamlessly integrates her vocalizing into the overall musical mix. Ardizzone is a vocalist who thrives on digging into challenging material, and she graduates with honors. Leonisa Ardizzone is a singer with an adventurous spirit, and the intelligence and chops to execute her imaginative vision.” - Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz

“Leonisa Ardizzone, depending on the song, tends to sound like a cross between Sade Adu and Carole King, with a touch of Michael Franks. While she is being promoted as a jazz artist, she could easily be a pop or folk artist if she wanted to, as her vocals are quite versatile. Her voice is very lively, able to create an instant mood ... she is subtle yet effective.” - John Book, Book's List

”After a listen to this exciting new jazz vocalist's debut, my first thoughts were where did Leonisa Ardizzone come from and where has she been? “—Michael Gladstone, All About Jazz

“Ardizzone has a lovely textured voice and most importantly she sings in tune with super phrasing.” —John Gilbert, ejazznews

“Afraid of the Heights, is filled with errorless instrument play and a female vocalist that will hook you in and put you in a feel good dance mood.” —Sari Kent, Celebrity Cafe

“An attractive CD, her first, by a singer who has clearly had a lot of experience.” —Bruce Crowther

“You know it when you see it —good craftsmanship. You can see it in a piece of furniture. In an automobile, or in a painting that hangs on the wall. And you can hear it, too. A group of musicians who have been playing together for any length of time just fit together, better than most. And so it is with this disc.” —Doug Boynton

“Afraid of the Heights is a very well done recording by a singer that shows incredible promise. I expect we shall hear plenty from her in the very near future” —George Harris, All About Jazz

“Leonisa Ardizzone proves to be a multi-faceted vocalist on her debut CD.” —Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

—”L'esordio della cantante Leonisa Ardizzone e un simpatico disco autoprodotto che si fa ascoltare con molto piacere.” —Vittorio Lo Conte, All About Jazz Italia

'this is a short but very sweet new notice of an arrival on the jazz vocal scene!” —Michael Gladstone, All About Jazz

“I found myself hoping that I would find an opportunity to see her and her group at a gig in the not too distant future, for she is a vocalist who swings, articulates and phrases wonderfully from the first notes of Anthropology to the closing notes of “You Go To My Head”.” —Jersey Jazz

“Jazz singer Leonisa Ardizzone takes us back to the happy days of Swing and fun, along with plenty of variety. Her vocalese, scat singing, and original lyrics fit comfortably in the pocket.” —Jim Santella, Cadence

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