Selected Press

“… [‘A Meadow in December’], the first opus of this Toronto singer, reveals an artist with undeniable talent and charisma who appropriates with a certain flair these jewels of the Great American Songbook. Solnicki brings a unique approach to her interpretations, often dreamlike, but with remarkable precision. A new Canadian voice to discover.

To me, Miss. Solnicki is assuredly one of the finest jazz singers to emerge on the Canadian scene recently…the purity of her voice, her understanding of the most subtle nuances in lyrics and melody, and the freshness, intelligence and wit she invests in every interpretation…

Her background in both classical music and poetry writing give her a unique perspective on the standard jazz songs of yesteryear, and her own original compositions have that special hard-to-define quality that set them apart.”

-Stanley Péan, Radio Host
Radio Canada/Espace Musique and
**** “A Meadow in December”, Voir review

With “A Meadow in December” Toronto singer Lara Solnicki has crafted an unusually compelling debut, avoiding all of the usual pitfalls… focusing on lyric, sound and rhythmic insinuation [and] investing 11 jewels from the Great American Songbook with her own personality. Her classical training is immediately evident and she has a poet’s ear for nuance. Solnicki tackles challenging fare like Lazy Afternoon, creating a dream-like state with subtle shifts in pitch. The concluding Softly as in a Morning Sunrise is almost as good — it may be the first time I ever noticed the lyrics.

-Stuart Broomer
The WholeNote, May/June, 2012

“A Meadow in December” will grant you some pleasurable hours, forgetting the bitter whims of mother nature… in the presence of a very beautiful voice, warm, grave, measured, that will delight fans, neophytes, and even “seasoned veterans”

Within eleven beaches, this beautiful voyage quickly transports the listener in élan. A job well done, like a plush, restful Sunday.”

-Christophe Rodriguez
Le Journal de Montreal, En Bref, January 21, 2012
* * * * A Meadow in December

***** Beautiful, Assured Singing
Absolutely beautiful singing. Really a nice discovery. Solnicki takes a very deserved place among some other fine Toronto/Canadian jazz singers now and has her own sound. I like the way her voice, obviously highly trained, uses high notes and fluidity so well, without sounding stilted at all, and there’s just a sense of ‘story-telling’ that even harkens back to fine high-voiced cabaret singers like Portia Nelson. This is admittedly a very well-known repertoire that is perhaps overly familiar: but creative takes, nicely handled by both Solnicki and her stellar accompanists. I look forward too to a promised second album which will include some of her own compositions. Meanwhile, this is great stuff.
Link to article: www.amazon.com/Meadow-December-Lara-Solnicki

-E. C Goodstein (Northern CA, United States)
“A Meadow in December” review, February 12, 2011

“Toronto’s Lara Solnicki imbues The Great American Songbook with style and sensuality. ‘A Meadow in December’ is a very promising debut.”

-Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio

“Lara Solnicki est une chanteuse torontoise de formation classique, qui caresse le Great American Songbook avec beaucoup de classe et de sensualité. Son timbre est ample et velouté, et son approche respectueuse de cette riche tradition. Une nouvelle voix d’ici que l’on découvre avec plaisir.”

“Classically schooled, Toronto vocalist Lara Solnicki caresses The Great American Songbook with much class and sensuality. Her timbre is ample and voluptuous, her approach respectful to this rich tradition. A new (Canadian) voice that we discover with pleasure.”

-Frederic Cardin, Espace Jazz/Radio- Canada

“Lara is an exceptionally talented musician with an expansive and expressive vocal and musical range. [She takes] the listener on a wonderful journey filled with personal, unaffected. and refreshingly original artistry.”

-Barry Livingston, CIUT 89.5 FM host/contributor,
CARAS 2010 Juno Awards Adjudicator

“Her range is quite astonishing… Lara’s honesty makes you feel she is not just singing a story, but has lived it herself.”

-Hal Hill, Co-Founder Markham Jazz Festival, Broadcaster

“Lara Solnicki’s voice should garner personal appearances across the country and overseas.”

-Barrie Woodey, Jazz For A Sunday Night, CHRW Radio.

“Solnicki makes a difficult melody seem easy; her incredibly pitched vocals are rich with shades of color.”

-Ori Dagan, Wholenote Magazine

“Lara Solnicki hits the notes the way they should be hit.”

-Rob Fogle, Some Experiences in Jazz, CHRY Radio