Young At Heart: Musician Isabella Isherwood Is Ready For What's Next

WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with pianist and vocalist Isabella Isherwood to talk about her love of jazz, the Chicago music scene and the challenges of working as professional musician during a pandemic.

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WDCB 90.9 FM · The Arts Section: A Conversation With Isabella Isherwood

WDCB's Gary Zidek sits down with Chicago-based pianist and vocalist Isabella Isherwood.

“I remember sitting in the kitchen with my grandma, she would always have on Nancy Wilson or Sarah Vaughan records when we were cooking. There was always music playing in my life, and a lot of it was jazz, and I always loved it, I was always drawn to it.” - pianist & vocalist Isabella Isherwood talking about her love of jazz.

WDCB’s Gary Zidek and Isabella Isherwood

It’s been a challenging year for local jazz musicians, including Isabella Isherwood. But despite the gloominess of 2020, the future looks incredibly bright for the 18-year old pianist and vocalist.

Isabella Isherwood at home playing piano

Isherwood starting playing the piano at age 4. She grew up in a musical family, her grandfather Jerry Libby was a well-known jazz musician in the Detroit area. Isherwood says she grew up listening to jazz and lists Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall and Nina Simone as her musical influences.

Isabella Isherwood

Isherwood won’t be performing in front of in-person audiences anytime soon, but she is presenting virtual concerts and working on a new album. You can find out more about Isherwood’s latest projects by visiting her website isabellaisherwoodmusic.com