Elise Testone
Elise Testone posing in front of graffiti
Elise Testone posing in front of graffiti
Background information
Birth nameElise Nicole Testone
BornKinnelon, New Jersey, U.S.
OriginCharleston, South Carolina
GenresRock, blues, soul, jazz, funk[1][2][3][4]
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar, drums, tambourine, cello
Years active2005–present
Formerly ofThe Freeloaders, James Brown Dance Party, Slanguage
Elise Testone in the studio

Elise Nicole Testone[5] (/ˈtɛstoʊn/) is an American singer and songwriter from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She placed sixth on the eleventh season of American Idol.[6] Her debut album In This Life was released in February 2014, and her second album, This Is Love, was released in 2019.

Early life

Elise Testone was born to LuAnne and Victor Testone, both of Italian ancestry.[7] She grew up in Kinnelon, New Jersey,[8] and got her first job making sandwiches at Taste of Reality, a local deli.[9] At the age of 13, Testone took lessons with New York City vocal coach Judy Hages.[10] After graduating from Kinnelon High School in 2001, Testone attended Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, earning a bachelor's degree in music in 2005.[7][8]

In 2006, Testone moved to Charleston, South Carolina and began collaborating with local rock, pop, funk, and soul musicians, while writing her own blues and jazz songs.[1][2][3] In a November 2008 interview, Testone said she worked at PawPurri for Pets in the mornings.[9] In the afternoons, she was a vocal coach at Music Unlimited in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.[7][9] In the evenings, she performed regularly at restaurants and clubs in Charleston, South Carolina.[9][11][12] Testone performs solo and with several Charleston groups, including The Freeloaders, James Brown Dance Party, and Slanguage.[13][14] In October 2011, Testone and her band, The Freeloaders, won the Funk/Soul/R&B Artist of the Year award in the Charleston City Paper’s Music issue.[10][15] Testone received additional recognition from the Charleston City Paper in 2011, winning the staff pick for Best Tribute for Elise Testone's James Brown Dance Party.[2]

Testone has performed as an opening act for various other artists, including Snoop Dogg, Nappy Roots, Seven Mary Three, and Kevin Costner and Modern West.[13][14] She can play the piano, guitar, drums, tambourine and cello.[1][3][16] Her favorite artists are Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson and Jimi Hendrix.[17] Other musical influences include B.B. King, Tori Amos, Erykah Badu, Jewel and Lauryn Hill.[17]

American Idol

Overview

On July 22, 2011, Testone auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.[1] She received a standing ovation in Vegas Round along with Reed Grimm, Eben Franckewitz and Haley Johnsen with their group performance of Bobby Vee's "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes."

In the semi-finals, Testone performed Adele's "One and Only" and was one of five female contestants to advance to the finals based on viewer votes.[7]

In the first round of the finals, Testone performed Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and was the female contestant with the lowest number of votes. Between Testone and Jeremy Rosado, the male contestant with the lowest number of votes, the judges decided to eliminate Rosado.[18] Testone and fellow contestant Jessica Sanchez received an endorsement from The X Factor season 1 finalist Chris Rene.[19]

The following week, in the top eleven round, Testone performed "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and received praise from the judges, with Randy Jackson proclaiming, "America, Elise is back!"[20] Nonetheless, Testone was in the bottom three again.[21] This was not well received by the judges, as Jennifer Lopez explained, "I’m not happy. It's not fair. Great performances should be rewarded. She was one of the best last night."[21]

In the top ten round, Testone sang Billy Joel's "Vienna" and received a standing ovation from the judges.[22][23] After spending two weeks in the bottom three, Testone was declared "safe" when the voting results were announced.[24] Testone received a second consecutive standing ovation for her performance of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" in the top nine round,[25] which critics considered to be her signature moment of the season.[26][27] After seeing Testone rehearse before the performance, celebrity mentor Stevie Nicks enthusiastically stated, "If I needed a singer, I'd hire her in a second."[28]

In the top six round, Testone performed Queen's "I Want It All" and The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Bold as Love".[28] The show's record producer mentor Jimmy Iovine called Testone "a great singer who makes bad [song] choices."[27] She defended her song choices stating, "Those were the best choices for me, but probably the majority of people at home want to be able to sing along."[6]

Testone was eliminated on April 26, 2012, finishing the competition in sixth place.[6]

Performances/results

Episode Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Get It While You Can" Janis Joplin N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 1 First Solo "Virtual Insanity" Jamiroquai N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 2 Group Performance "Some Kind of Wonderful"[29] Soul Brothers Six N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 3 Second Solo Not aired N/A Advanced
Las Vegas Round Songs from the 1950s
Group Performance		 "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" Bobby Vee N/A Advanced
Final Judgment Final Solo "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" James Brown N/A Advanced
Top 25 (12 Women) Personal Choice "One and Only" Adele 12 Advanced
Top 13 Whitney Houston "I'm Your Baby Tonight" Whitney Houston 2 Saved1
Top 11 Year They Were Born "Let's Stay Together" Al Green 4 Bottom 32
Top 10 Billy Joel "Vienna" Billy Joel 5 Safe
Top 9 Their Personal Idols Trio "Landslide" / "Edge of Seventeen" / "Don't Stop"
with Colton Dixon & Phillip Phillips		 Fleetwood Mac / Stevie Nicks 3 Safe
Solo "Whole Lotta Love" Led Zeppelin 12
Top 8 Songs from the 1980s Solo "I Want to Know What Love Is" Foreigner 2 Bottom 33
Duet "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around"
with Phillip Phillips		 Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty 8
Top 7 Songs from the 2010s Duet "Somebody That I Used to Know"
with Phillip Phillips		 Gotye feat. Kimbra 3 Bottom 34
Solo "You and I" Lady Gaga 10
Top 75 Songs from Now & Then "No One" Alicia Keys 3 Bottom 32
"Let's Get It On" Marvin Gaye 10
Top 6 Queen "I Want It All" Queen 4 Eliminated
Contestant's Choice "Bold as Love" The Jimi Hendrix Experience 10
  • ^Note 1 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Testone was the female contestant with the lowest number of votes. Between Testone and Jeremy Rosado, the male contestant with the lowest number of votes, the judges decided to eliminate Rosado and save Testone.
  • ^Note 2 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Testone was among the Bottom 3, but was declared safe first.
  • ^Note 3 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Testone was among the Bottom 3 but declared safe second, as DeAndre Brackensick was eliminated.
  • ^Note 4 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Testone was among the Bottom 3 but declared safe second, as Jessica Sanchez received the lowest number of votes and was saved by the judges.
  • ^Note 5 Owing to the judges using their one save on Jessica Sanchez, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.

Post-Idol appearances

Her journey through American Idol made her realize that rock genre is her forte. While on American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012, Testone intends to write songs for her album that would include elements of rock, blues, jazz, soul, and funk.[4] Following her elimination, Testone appeared on various talk shows, including Good Day L.A.,[30] The Today Show,[31] Anderson,[32] and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[33] Testone and fellow contestant Colton Dixon performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 27, 2012.[34] Testone also performed on Live! with Kelly on April 30, 2012, with a rendition of Adele's "One and Only".[16] She treated Access Hollywood viewers to a reprise of "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green.[35]

At the start of 2013, the singer gathered a number of local Charleston musicians to begin recording her debut album. Self-produced and focussing on her own songs, Testone used a varied of genres to express her personal experiences.[36] Testone released her debut album, In This Life on February 11, 2014.[37] In January 2015 she moved to New York,[38] where she works as a vocal coach.[39] In the same year she released the single "Now" while she continues to tour.[40][41]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US CAN
In This Life
  • Released: February 16, 2014
  • Label: Red Tambo Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
 — — —
This Is Love
  • Released: April 17, 2019
  • Label: Red Tambo Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
 — — —

Singles

As lead artist

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
2014 "I Will Not Break" — In This Life
2015 "Help Me" — Non-album single
"Time" — Non-album single
"Now" — Non-album single
Year Single Artist Peak chart positions Album
US
2011 "In a Sense" Man on Fire — Chrysalis
"A (Post Apocalyptic) Bedtime Story" —
2012 "All for You" Emotive — Non-album single
"Gravity, Pt. 2" Man on Fire — Non-album single
2015 "Over the Rainbow" Kevin West — Non-album single

Videography

Music videos

Year Video Director
2014 "I Will Not Break" David Keller
2015 "Now" Charlotte Savage

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gale, Heather (March 6, 2012). "Elise Testone turning CCU, Myrtle Beach into 'Idol' fans". ListenUp Myrtle Beach. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Lesemann, T. Ballard. "Best Tribute". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Prufer, Mona (February 2, 2012). "Vote for CCU's own Elise Testone on 'American Idol'". The Atheneum. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Oliver, David (April 27, 2012). "Elise Testone 'sings outside the lines'". Idol Chatter. USAToday.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  5. ↑ Testone, Elise. "Tweet". Twitter.
  6. 1 2 3 Serjeant, Jill (April 27, 2012). "Not my time to go, says ousted "Idol" Elise Testone". Reuters. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Thompson, Bill (March 2, 2012). "Local musician Elise Testone advances to finals on 'American Idol'". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Kolton, Tara (February 20, 2012). "Kinnelon grad singing her way to the top". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 margaret (November 26, 2008). "24/7 with Elise Testone, Charleston, SC". Skirt! Charleston. Skirt.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  10. 1 2 Booth, Jared (October 19, 2011). "Elise Testone and the Freeloaders". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Elise Testone: Killin It". Holy City Sinner. February 29, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Bill (February 15, 2012). "Local 'American Idol' contestant Elise Testone just wants to perform". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  13. 1 2 Robinson, Katrina (June 7, 2011). "Profile of local singer/songwriter Elise Testone". The Digitel Charleston. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  14. 1 2 Gray, Stanfield (June 2011). "Sound Control". Charleston Magazine. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  15. ↑ Lesemann, T. Ballard (October 19, 2011). "The winners of the 2011 City Paper Music Awards". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Scott, Jason (April 30, 2012). "Elise Testone – One and Only – Live with Kelly! – Video". American Idol. Rickey.org. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  17. 1 2 American Idol. "Elise Testone – American Idol". American Idol. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  18. ↑ Oliver, David (March 9, 2012). "Jeremy Rosado had 'gut feeling' about elimination". USA Today. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  19. ↑ Halperin, Shirley; Medina, Portia (March 15, 2012). "'American Idol's Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone Get Ringing Endorsement from 'X Factor's' Chris Rene (Video)". TV Shows. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  20. ↑ O’Donnell, Kevin (March 14, 2012). "American Idol Airs Jermaine Jones's Elimination for Legal Trouble". People.com. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  21. 1 2 Parker, Lyndsey (March 15, 2012). "'American Idol' Top 11 Results: Girls' Night OUT". Music. Yahoo Music. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  22. ↑ Staff report (March 22, 2012). "Charleston Singer Survives 'Idol' Cut". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  23. ↑ Farber, Jim (March 21, 2012). "'American Idol:' Contestants tackle New York". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  24. ↑ Haire, Chris (March 23, 2012). "Elise Testone makes it into the top 9 on Idol". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Elise Testone, Joshua Ledet channel Led Zeppelin, Mariah Carey on 'American Idol'". American Idol News. CTV.ca. Associated Press. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  26. ↑ Booth, Jared (April 27, 2012). "Elise Testone's Top Five Moments on American Idol". Music+Clubs. Charleston City Paper. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  27. 1 2 Graham, Adam (April 26, 2012). "No Surprise On 'American Idol': Elise Testone Exits". MTV. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Miller, Victoria Leigh (April 27, 2012). "American Idol' Top 6 Results". News. Yahoo OMG. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Elise Testone, Brandy Neelly, Lauren Gray, Danny Pate, Erica Young/AMERICAN IDOL GROUP DAY". YouTube.com. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  30. ↑ ""American Idol" latest castoff – Elise Testone". myFOXla.com. April 27, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  31. ↑ Boyer, Matthew (May 2, 2012). "American Idol 2012: Elise Testone Media Tour Clips". American Idol. American Idol Net. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  32. ↑ AndersonCooper.com (April 30, 2012). "'Idol' Castoff Elise Testone on Who She Thinks Will Win". Previews. AndersonCooper.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Thursday's Talk Shows". Entertainment. Los Angeles Times. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  34. ↑ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Idol's Colton and Elise (VIDEO)". TV. Hulu.com. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  35. ↑ AccessHollywood.com. "Elise Testone Sings 'Let's Stay Together' After 'Idol' Elimination". AccessHollywood.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Charleston Mag" Stratton Lawrence, 'The Charleston Profile: Elise Testone Takes Flight', Charleston Magazine, August 2013.
  37. ↑ Younkins, Tamara. "Elise Testone releases new single and readies post-Idol disc". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  38. ↑ Darlington, Abigail. "Singing sensation Testone leaving James Is. for NYC's bright lights". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  39. ↑ Darlington, Abigail. "Catching up with Elise Testone After her big move, singer reflects on new experiences in the Big Apple". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Elise Testone – Now (audio) (premiere)". PopMatters. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Elise Testone Details Upcoming Winter Tour". JamBase. February 4, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
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