“Joni Mitchell has a way of distilling an experience, a feeling or an image down to its purest lyrical form and making you feel like she is singing about it to you directly. Her songs are precious gifts that heal us and show us there is beauty in darkness as well as in light.”

- Virna Sanzone

Virna Sanzone, is emerging as one of Australias most captivating singers. Deeply soulful, yet with the ability to sail effortlessly through the most intricate jazz melodies, her passionate delivery and understated approach have seen her compared to vocal masters from Roberta Flack to Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.

One of the few singers to be accepted into the prestigious jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, over the past decade Virna has worked consistently both in Australia and overseas, winning the admiration and respect of audiences and contemporaries alike.

Virna has performed extensively with her own band at a long list of festivals and events, including the 2008 Sydney Festival, as part of the Jazz Divas Series, the 2007 Spirit of Soul Festival, the 2007 Norfolk Island Jazz Festival, and the 2007 Darling Harbour Jazz Festival. Highly regarded by her peers, Virna has also been invited to perform in bands led by jazz luminaries such as Judy Bailey at Sundays Round the House (Sydney Opera House), Matthew McMahon at the 2005 Darling Harbour Jazz Festival and with her long-time collaborator, Gerard Masters at the 2006 Jazz:Now Festival, held at the Sydney Opera House. She also performs regularly for SIMA, the Sydney Improvised Music Association and the Jazzgroove Association.

Though her roots are firmly planted in the fertile ground that resides between soul and jazz, Virna has been an integral part of projects that have seen her move across a diverse range of genres. 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 and Linda Bull and the Australian Art Orchestra led by Paul Grabowsky. She has appeared with Paul Capsis, both live and for the television program, In Siberia Tonight, recorded for producer Paul Macs latest release, Panic Room and performed as part of the reformed, Directions In Groove (DIG). She has supported Roy Ayers and Ernest Ranglin on their Australian tours, and appeared a guest vocalist with Lulo Reinhardt, grand-nephew of the great Django Reinhardt, and with the voice of the revolution, South African singer and freedom songwriter Vusi Mahlasela.

Virna spent some years as a regular vocalist with Sydneys late, grand master of soul, Jackie Orszaczky, also working closely with Tina Harrod, and had the honour of performing as part of a tribute concert in late 2008 which celebrated his life and work. She contributed backing vocals to Orszaczkys album Deserted Downtown (Vitamin Records), and recorded with him again in duo mode, on bassist / composer Steve Hunters album, Condition Human (ABC Classics). While Virna has contributed to many other studio projects, she also appears on numerous recordings for radio, television and film, including The Magic Pudding, starring John Cleese.

Described as an uplifting listening experience, Virnas self-titled album, commissioned by the ABCs Jazztrack program, was released to 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 and pianist Lindsay Page, the composition went on to win Honourable Mention. Virna is currently writing material for a second album, and continues to perform regularly with her own band and as a featured guest vocalist.

“Virna Sanzones 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

“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. Its rich and beautiful.”

- 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