Leoni Jansen

Leoni Jansen is a Dutch singer and director. She started out as tv-personality: anchor-woman on Dutch national tv for the daily “Children’s News”. After that she hosted various art- and music-programs on television and ended up with her very own tv-show: “Jansen & co”.Wishing to devote more time to singing and the theatre she said goodbye to tv, and produced a number of large-scale music-theatre productions:“Female Factory”, worldmusic/cross-over by 13 women from all over the world, among who Ukrainian diva Yulduz Uzmanova and Kine Lam from Senegal.“Made in Holland”, a multi-cultural music-event which featured 22 nationalities all residing in Holland, and"She Got Game", with seven women from five cultures, which is now celebrating its sixth consecutive year of success.In 2002 she produced and directed "Celtic Nights", a concert in which she collaborated with Scottish singers Karine Polwart (now an award-winnig songwriter),Corinna Hewat and, Niamh Parsons from Ireland. Recently she created and directed two African women shows: "Women unite Senegal",a unique show with women from different Senegalese tribes collaborating, and the immensely succesful "African Mamas",with an all South-African cast, now touring around the world. Coming up: "Daughters of Africa", a pan-African show, to be created and directed by Leoni.She sang at the royal wedding of the Prince of the Netherlands, Willem of Orange with Maxima Zorreguietta, and she performed for Nelson Mandela when he was honoured with the Dutch For Freedom Award. She perfomed duets with Umu Sangare in Senegal, with Toumani Diabate, and sang "7 seconds away" with Youssou Ndour in Amsterdam on the IDFA-festival.In 2006 Leoni was awarded a knighthood,particularly for her creative work with African women.And Leoni demonstrates her unusual talent as a Folk-singer in her solo programs, backed by some of the finest musicians in the field. Her music comprises a mix of Celtic-Folk, and Americana. Her choice of songs reflects her philosophy: she sings about her hopes, her fears and the things that move her...here's what the press has to say:..Thanks to her original choices, her special collaborations, and a highly personal approach, she captivates her audience..(cultuurpodium).."The earth stopped moving for 5 minutes..I don't recall ever hearing a more gripping version of "Both sides now".. With "Second wind" Leoni once again demonstrates her total professionalism, and proves to be one of the best singers we have.." (Musicforum)..She sings without effort and seems to enjoy every single second.. (Zing magazine)..…what a crystal-clear voice……. (Algemeen Dagblad)…Leoni Jansen proves to be an exceptional singer…… (Volkskrant)…she sings with a quiet radiance…. (Gelders Dagblad)Annie Grace(Scotland): … Leoni has a Celtic soul…..Niamh Parsons( Ireland): …I’ve been lucky in my life to have performed with such wonderfull singers as Leoni Jansen, who raised my enjoyment of singing to a new level…..

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Leoni and Les Freres Guisse