Isabella celebrates her life in songs

“Well, Lord willing, I go back to the studio after this show, as I have a wonderful bunch of projects in development that I hope to share with everyone soon.”

That was Isabella Gonzalez, a recording and visual artist, giving The STAR updates on future endeavors in an e-mail chat.

When not in the thick of preparing for recording a song or mounting a show, the daughter of Kuh Ledesma added that she’s into developing Gospel tracts and gift books with friends through TheJoyfulGiverPH on Instagram.

“That’s the indie (independent) publishing house that was born during the pandemic and is one of my passion projects, and I love to paint as well,” shared she, who has been working on a few series of paintings and is taking her time for their completion.

Meanwhile, the show she mentioned is her birthday concert titled “Isabella as IZ,” slated for tomorrow, April 26, 8 p.m., at the Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills.

The “IZ” is pronounced as “is,” not “I-Z” or “Izzy” as the artist’s nickname, as shared by Kuh on her Facebook page.

“Isabella is going to do her full concert with all of us. We’re all excited to be with her, to support her,” said she, adding that it’s a very fun-filled show.

Isabella is again sharing and showcasing her gift to entertain people and tell stories through songs. She will be joined by artist-friends Zia Quizon and Thor Valiente, who will also do the “fun ‘90s glam rock song” with Isabella.

Her mom, Kuh Ledesma, the country’s Pop Diva, will “bring in the ‘KUHL,’ as Isabella put it, “with her rendition of more current songs.”

The latter will be complemented with songs from the past and jazz standards that Isabella loves to do. Returning to the jazz standards is Isabella’s way to honor her Ninang Ruby, her dad’s sister, “who helped raise me,” said the artist. “She went on to the joy of Heaven… she was a great woman of strength who impacted many lives through her philanthropy and her private acts of generosity and kindness.” Ruby enjoyed jazz compositions.

Isabella also acknowledged the support given by her Ninang Precy Florentino and Tita Edith Alcantara, aspiration- and love-for-music-wise.

Asked about the blessings the birthday girl has received this year that she’s thankful for, Isabella answered, “I feel like the year has just begun. But if I’m looking from last birthday till today… one of my greatest blessings has been God’s gift of changing the way I see things: perspective. I am just so grateful now for everyone and every day, every opportunity, the ability to move, talk, sing, breathe, even more than before! I see every moment now truly for what it is, a miracle! A big wonderful bunch of miracles.”

As a singer and performer, she wants to do a collab with Over October, Kiana Valenciano,

Bituin Escalante, Frenchie Dy and Radha. She would also love to sing Cecile Azarcon’s One with Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Jaya and Lani Misalucha.

On her wish list is doing a duet with Gary Valenciano and working with composers Ryan

Cayabyab again and Louie Ocampo. She also wants to collaborate again with friends like Karylle, Robin Nievera, and Kiana, Gab and Paolo Valenciano.

Since artists’ songs also serve as listeners’ soundtracks of their lives, Isabella was also asked to describe her life through songs. And she generously listed down her answers.

“It Must Be You, (it was) written by my dad, Louie Gonzalez and sung by my mom. Isn’t She Lovely, mom’s song for me when I was a baby. For my growing-up years, Don’t Rain On My Parade, Fly Me To The Moon and Someone To Watch Over Me,” said Isabella.

“When I came to know what Jesus did on the cross for me, Amazing Grace, As The Deer, At Last, I Love You Lord, How Great Is Our God. (For) the years before and during the pandemic, Hold On by Wilson Philips, The Goodness of God by Cece Winans. Now, as we get back to life, I Want To Know What Love Is?, His Eye Is On The Sparrow from ‘Sister Act II’ and In Christ Alone,” concluded she.

(For ticket inquiries, call 0960-8850288 or 0920-2868895. Please follow Isabella on Instagram@IsabellaLGonzalez and like Isabella on Facebook.)