Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Lewis.
Leslie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in New Jersey. After two years in college, I went on to be a singer and dancer at Disneyland, Opryland and DisneyWorld. I moved back to California and sang in various top 40 bands in LA. I became an actress and did a few small things in movies and on television. I moved to Cleveland and sang with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and with smaller groups in various jazz venues. I went back to California and sang with the Tom Kubis Big Band. I also had my own band and I sang with many other groups over the years. For years I played piano at several Ritz Carlton Hotels and at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach. I met my husband Gerard in 2005 and we started recording together. We have 5 CDs together under surfcovejazz.com. I also was a featured performer with The Jazz Tap Ensemble. We performed in NY and in California. We moved to Paris, France in 2012. Here we travel all over the world doing concerts and festivals. I also sing with the famous jazz organist Rhoda Scott. She tours all over Europe. Our group performs in jazz clubs regularly here in Paris when we’re not on the road. We still have our band in Orange County.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been mostly smooth, but here in France, the challenge has been making a name for ourselves without being a part of a totally French band. Our bassist is from NY and Gerard is American so doors are not as readily open to us as they would be if my band was made up of all French musicians. We have managed to break through it all but without representation. We do everything ourselves and with the help of other musicians in France and around the world who appreciate our artistry and who hire us for festivals and concerts.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
We specialize in improvisational jazz, standards, pop tunes arranged for jazz and music that is rhythmically exciting. We have several homages to Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. These are very popular in France. We are known for the variety of music we perform (from Monk to Sting to Ella to Aretha) and for Gerard’s arrangements. I think what sets us apart from other bands is the repertoire we have between us and our ability to rearrange songs that everyone knows.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Experience
Contact Info:
- Website: surfcovejazz.com
- Email: [email protected]
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