Laoise Leahy

We are happy to introduce the special guest of our lineup. This year the Italian Fusion Festival presents, from Cork, Laoise Leahy, who will sing in the last act with the Julien Colarossi Organ Trio.

With a wealth of experience and having trained in both London and Ireland, vocalist Laoise Leahy (Née O’Hanlon), has developed into one of the most accomplished, versatile and in-demand singers on the Irish jazz and pop scene. Laoise has performed and recorded with Bon Iver (4AD), Gilbert O’ Sullivan and the RTE Concert Orchestra, Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), Brian Deady (Decca Universal), Efterklang (4AD/Rumraket records), Mary Coughlan (Rubyworks Records), Niall Mc Cabe Band, Jack O’ Rourke and Waiting Room in addition to varied theatre, commercial & studio sessions.

As lead vocalist, Laoise performs as jazz vocal soloist with many bands and large ensembles such as The Paul Dunlea Big Band / New Irish Jazz Orchestra, Hothouse Bigband, Cork Concert Orchestra, Cork Pops Orchestra, Opus Pocus Big Band among others and has toured with theatre companies throughout Europe. She is an avid songwriter and has had original music released by a UK independent record label and internationally broadcast on BBC, RTE 1, Sky Showcase, RTE Lyric Fm, Newstalk, RTE Pulse, Bath fm and Today FM among others. She has performed at many festivals including Electric Picnic, Cork Jazz Festival, Limerick Jazz Festival, Sproi fest and many more.

Laoise is passionate about vocal education. She graduated BMus (‘Vocaltech’ London College of Music, London 2004- 2007) and MA (Cork School of Music 2008 – 2010) with 1st class honours degrees and top overall performer awards from both institutions. She co-founded Corks first specialist vocal tuition centre ‘Voiceworks Studio’ with colleague Gemma Sugrue and currently enjoys lecturing full time at the Cork School of Music, specialising in pop and jazz vocal performance on the BA, BMus and MA degree courses.