“…Virna Sanzone’s voice is informed by her fine melodic sensitivity, her sophisticated understanding of the jazz tradition and above all, her characteristically rich, soul-drenched feel.”
DRUM MEDIA
Virna Sanzone, is emerging as one of Australia’s most captivating singers. Deeply soulful, yet with the ability to sail effortlessly through the most intricate jazz melodies, her passionate delivery & understated approach have won her the admiration & respect of audiences and contemporaries alike.
A graduate of the prestigious jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, over the past decade Virna has performed extensively both in Australia and overseas, at a long list of festivals, venues & events. Among them, the 2008 Sydney Festival, as part of the Jazz Divas Series, the 2007 Spirit of Soul Festival, the 2007 Norfolk Island Jazz Festival, & the 2007 Darling Harbour Jazz Festival. Highly regarded by her peers, Virna has also been invited to perform in bands led by Australian jazz luminaries such as Judy Bailey at Sunday’s Round the House (Sydney Opera House), Matthew McMahon at the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival & with her long-time collaborator, Gerard Masters at the Jazz:Now Festival, held at the Sydney Opera House. She also performs regularly for SIMA, the Sydney Improvised Music Association & the Jazzgroove Association.
Though her roots are firmly planted in the fertile ground that resides between soul & jazz, Virna has been an integral part of projects that have seen her move across a diverse range of genres. She is currently in preparation for the concert series “Joni: A Tribute to the Legendary Joni Mitchell”, featuring a selection of Australia’s finest singers including Wendy Matthews & Katie Noonan. Amongst recent projects she performed as part of Meet Me In The Middle Of The Air, presented in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House, with legendary singer / songwriter Paul Kelly, Vika & Linda Bull & the Australian Art Orchestra led by Paul Grabowsky. She has appeared with Paul Capsis, both live & for the television program, In Siberia Tonight, recorded for producer Paul Mac’s latest release, ”Panic Room” & performed as part of the reformed, Directions In Groove (DIG). She has supported Roy Ayers & Ernest Ranglin on their Australian tours, & appeared a guest vocalist with Lulo Reinhardt, grand-nephew of the great Django Reinhardt, & with the “voice of the revolution”, South African singer & freedom songwriter Vusi Mahlasela.
Virna spent some years singing with Sydney’s late, “grand master of soul”, Jackie Orszaczky, also working closely with Tina Harrod, & had the honour of performing as part of a tribute concert in late 2008 which celebrated his life & work. She contributed backing vocals to Orszaczky’s album “Deserted Downtown” (Vitamin Records), & recorded with him again in duo mode, on bassist / composer Steve Hunter’s album, “Condition Human” (ABC Classics). While Virna has contributed to many other studio projects, she also appears on numerous recordings for radio, television & film, including “The Magic Pudding”, starring John Cleese & the award-winning documentary ”The Burning Season”, narrated by Hugh Jackman.
Described as “an uplifting listening experience”, Virna’s self-titled album, commissioned by the ABC’s Jazztrack program, was released to high critical acclaim. In 2007, “Almost Crazy”, the last track on the album, was selected from almost 15,000 entries from 88 countries around the world, as one of the 15 final tracks in the Jazz Category of the International Songwriting Competition. Written by Virna & pianist Lindsay Page, the composition went on to win Honourable Mention. Virna is currently preparing for further recording projects, & continues to perform regularly with her own band and as a featured guest vocalist.
“On Saturday night, I saw the light in the form of Virna Sanzone and her quintet. Sanzone has a voice like the caramel layer in a piece of caramel slice…so smooth, warm and pliable…and you’d definitely want a second serve with another piece to take home. It’s rich and beautiful.”
Live Review: Lissa Christopher, Sydney Morning Herald
“…Shining through all of this was the voice, somewhat reminiscent of Aretha Franklin in her finer earlier years, yet delivered in a style honed and perfected by a very talented performer in her own right…”
Live Review: STIX
“From the first time I heard Virna Sanzone sing I was struck by the beauty and power of her voice. She is an uncommonly gifted musician and…a great asset to Australian music making.”
Dr Tony Gould
“She not only has a beautiful voice but is an accurate, skilful and passionate singer…an outstanding soloist with thrilling improvisational skills and the rare quality of being a good listener…”
Tony Backhouse
