Reviews
All in Good Time is another excellent jazz offering in what has been a very strong year for jazz. Fans of vocal led jazz should take notice.
– Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility
(Read the full review)
After watching the two DNC candidate debates, someone should whisper into the steering committee’s ear that all 20 candidates should be dumped and this protean gal ought to leap frog over the ranks to run for President. Since past experience in politics doesn’t matter anymore, with the various interests and fields she’s conquered and tucked under her belt, politics should nothing more than a quick study for her. Turning her attention to jazz vocal here, she a nu voice that finds the jazz in everything from the usual suspects to the highly suspect. A delightful, out of the ordinary set that covers new ground but doesn’t let the apple fall far from the tree. Tasty stuff throughout that tailor made for right now.
– MWRBlog
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
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
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(LA)
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 Café
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
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
[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
An attractive CD, her first, by a singer who has clearly had a lot of experience.
– Bruce Crowther
Ardizzone has a lovely textured voice and most importantly she sings in tune with super phrasing. Leonisa 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
Leonisa Ardizzone proves to be a multi-faceted vocalist on her debut CD.
– Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
L’esordio della cantante Leonisa Ardizzone è 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
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
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of her shall be much required…”
Renaissance men and women still exist. In addition to her scholarly and philanthropic pursuits, Ardizzone is a wife, mother and…jazz musician. That is an embarrassment of riches. Ardizzone has self-produced and released two recordings since 2007, Afraid of the Heights in that year and the recently offered The Scent of Bitter Almonds.Like Norah Jones between her first and second recordings. Leonisa Ardizzone relaxes on The Scent of Bitter Almonds. Throughout the disc’s twelve songs, Ardizzone explores the breathier elements of her voice, almost crooning the opening “My Romance.” She does this with the addition of pianist Jess Jurkovic, who makes her previous quartet a quintet. It is Ardizzone who shows the most growth since her previous Afraid of the Heights. Her scat and vocalese are more controlled, particularly on Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring” (scat) and McCoy Tyner’s “Blues on the Corner.” While confident on Afraid of the Heights, Ardizzone reaches a sensual critical mass on The Scent of Bitter Almonds. “Willow Weep for Me” and “Take the A Train” both exude pheromones that increase the humidity of the music substantially. Ardizzone and company take themselves just seriously enough to make some seriously great music that amply entertains.
– C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
McCoy Tyner’s quirky “Blues on the Corner” showcases Leonisa’s ability to sing tough intervals. Ardizzone is a wonderfully pleasant singer who has a most inviting voice.
– Jazz Improv NY By Ray Hoffman
In her alternate life as the leader of the Leonisa Ardizzone Quintet, the talented jazz artist proves that she’s a multi-tasker with few equals. The group, which has been appearing around the New York area, is a solid ensemble with nice balance.