WHAT A ZOO!
JOANIE LEEDS &amp; THE NIGHTLIGHTS
WITH GUEST ARTIST SECRET AGENT 23 SKIDOO

People Magazine
Joanie Leeds &amp; The Nightlights What A Zoo!
"Animal-Crazed kids will dig these new tunes, including "Mosquitoes", "Tofurky Song" and "Froggie Went a Courtin'," a swingy spin on the classic children's ballad."

New York Times
"Her band may be called the Nightlights, but there’s nothing soporific about the music."

New York Post
"Shine a light: There’s nothing better than a rock band for kids that can make grown-ups laugh, and with tunes like “The Tofurky Song” and “Mosquitoes,” Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights pull it off."

Time Out NY Kids
"Local chanteuse Joanie Leeds's latest will be a hit with young zoologists in the making—every song on the CD features a different animal friend. Listen up for a take on the traditional "Froggie Went a Courtin'" with an appearance from rapper Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a cover of the Phish song "Possum" and the sweet original "My Butterfly."

School Library Journal
"With her rich, powerful soprano, Leeds belts out these original and traditional songs about crocodiles, hummingbirds, whales, and even mosquitoes. The especially appealing tune “Happy As a Clam” features playful animal idioms and phrases, such as “cat’s got your tongue” and “snug as a bug in a rug.” Other albums: I’m a Rock Star and City Kid."


NEW YORK (Feb. 5, 2011) – Building on the momentum of her 2010 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award-winning album, I’m a Rock Star, independent children’s musician Joanie Leeds brings her attention to the animal kingdom with the April 12 release of her new kids’ CD, What a Zoo! (Limbostar, $15.00, for ages 2 – 9, run time 37 minutes).Joining Joanie and her band, The Nightlights, is the critically acclaimed “hip hop for kids” musician, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.

Gifted with a soulful, “rock solid” voice and an instinctive knack for capturing the essence of any style she goes for, Joanie Leeds has delivered, with each new release, music that speaks to kids in a friendly, non-patronizing way and is imbued with artistic values that thrill admiring adults.Her presentation is notable for its child-appropriate clarity, yet vocally Joanie soars easily through a remarkable array of styles with such an enviable power and dexterity that it’s easy to forget her intended audience is under age 10.Joanie truly rocks!Time Out New York Kids enthused about I’m a Rock Star, “The title track – with its hint of mid-career Alanis Morissette – is a terrific jam, while the rocking-chair anthem ‘Give Me a Hug’ is a tender, parent-pleasing tune … if she can win over my discerning kid, then Joanie Leeds is indeed a rock star.”

NAPPA GOLD Winner, What a Zoo! presents ten rockin’ Joanie Leeds originals and four covers, each with its own distinctive personality that salutes every child’s fascination with our animal friends.The lyrics are thought provoking and packed with educational value. “My Butterfly” explores metamorphosis, “Sea Cow” and “Big Blue Whale” focus on endangered species, and the delightful, two beat novelty song “Tofurky” emphasizes responsible eating.Other songs are just plain fun.“Happy As A Clam” wends its way through the many animal-isms that pop up in our daily conversations, while the classic “Pony Boy” provides a sweet country touch.A brilliantly eclectic presentation of the beloved children’s folk ballad “Froggie Went a’ Courtin’“ updates Joanie’s authentic swing phrasing to include a super hip appearance by guest rapper Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.While the album is light-hearted, Joanie’s cover of the Phish song “Possum” does let kids know what happens when you don’t look both ways when crossing the street.And “Mosquitoes” is unapologetic about squashing those little bloodsuckers! What a Zoo! offers a perfect setting for Joanie’s vocal virtuosity and impeccable good taste. Its sophisticated humor is rooted in real life experiences and guaranteed never to wear thin with the repeated listenings this CD is bound to get.

Why an album of animal songs? Joanie Leeds explains, “Growing up in Miami, Florida, I developed a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors. Whether I was relaxing by the ocean with my mom, camping or hiking with my dad, or taking class trips to the Florida Everglades, nature and beauty surrounded me. My brother Jonathan took his love of nature to the next level as an environmentalist, and he’s taught me so much about how our daily actions impact our beautiful planet.Inspired by Jonathan, I’ve been writing songs about animals for years.With such a plentiful collection of animal tunes, it was easy and joyful to record What a Zoo!The songs are meant to be fun, danceable, and humorous, and I hope the content also encompasses and encourages a larger message, for both children and adults.”

What a Zoo! is available online at <a href="http://www.joanieleeds.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.joanieleeds.com</a>, <a href="http://amazon.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, <a href="http://cdbaby.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cdbaby.com</a>, and at specialty toy and bookstores across the country.
WHAT A ZOO! TRACK LIST:

All the Animals, Mosquitoes, Froggie Went a Courtin’, Big Blue Whale, Happy as a Clam, Hummingbird, Sea Cow, Possum, Tofurky, If You Go, Animals in Concert, My Butterfly, Pony Boy, Wimoweh.

What A Zoo!

All The Animals

Mosquitoes

Froggie Went A Courtin  (Featuring Secret Agent 23 Skidoo)

Big Blue Whale

Happy As a Clam

Hummingbird

Sea Cow

Possum

Tofurky Song

If You Go

Animals in Concert

My Butterfly

Pony Boy

Wimoweh

GRAMMY Winning, NYC-based Joanie Leeds has played for thousands of families all across the country. As a singer/songwriter, Joanie has won first place in the USA Songwriting Competition, an Independent Music Award, Gold Parents' Choice Award, NAPPA Gold Award and she has been a John Lennon Songwriting Award Finalist and an International Songwriting Competition Finalist. Her original music with her band Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights has been featured in People Magazine, USA Today, Parents Magazine, New York Times and Washington Post. Some of her favorite venues played are Lollapalooza, Clearwater Festival, Skirball Center, Lincoln Center, Wolftrap and the Kennedy Center. She won a GRAMMY Award for her album, All the Ladies- a female empowerment and gender equality album for families.  Her songs are played on many radio stations nationwide climbing up the chart to #1 on Sirius-XM's Kids Place Live and WXPN's Kids Corner.