Biography • Ester Wiesnerova

"An artist of rare imagination and formidable arranging skills. An exciting new voice in European jazz."

PETER QUINN, JAZZWISE, UK ****

"Her voice is like a warm, inviting, whispered breath as the poetic alluring lyrics are released into air. Throughout this repertoire, warmth and affection abound. For her part the inimitable Wiesnerová breathes her way into this extraordinary music with imagination and infectious musicality."

RAUL DE GAMA, THE WHOLE NOTE, CA

"Wiesnerova's compositions and arrangements are nothing but striking... the sheer beauty of her voice exerts a pull. She is certainly well worth hearing."

RICHARD SALVUCCI, ALL ABOUT JAZZ, USA

Ester Wiesnerova is an internationally active vocalist, composer, and educator. Originally from Slovakia, Ester was first discovered on “The Voice of Czechoslovakia”, a television singing competition, before beginning her professional musical endeavors. Recently, Ester was named in Forbes' 30 under 30 list, and awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal.

An accomplished composer, she was invited to perform her original music at venues such as Flagey Hall in Brussels, Wuhan Concert Hall in China, The Piano Man in New Delhi, and regularly at Cafe Vivaldi in New York City. As a vocalist, she has been featured onstage with Dave Holland, Lionel Richie and Luciana Souza. Ester's original compositions have been performed at prestigious festivals worldwide such as Panama Jazz Festival, International Guatemala Jazz Festival and EUROJAZZ in Mexico. She was selected to sing for the Slovak president, the members of European parliament, and for the composer of the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, Howard Shore. As a guest vocalist, Ester appeared on 5 albums, and Blue Journalis her debut album as a leader.

A passionate music educator, Ester co-founded “Music Beyond Borders”, a jazz and contemporary music education non-profit in Slovakia which has served over 150 Slovakian students in just four years. Ester received her graduate degree in Jazz Composition at New England Conservatory and her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance at Berklee. At Berklee, she was the recipient of the highest scholarship available at the Voice Department, the faculty-nominated "Sylvia M. Zunz Endowed Scholarship".

A strong believer in music as a tool for social change, Ester has been engaged in musical activities for marginalized groups. She organized concerts in prisons and homeless shelters, taught a homeless women choir, and·co-led regular workshops for teenagers in psychiatric hospitals.