Up Jumped Spring

Yes, indeed. It is spring and the weather is gorgeous! Now, if only I could actually pry myself away from work to get outside and enjoy the weather! It's an insanely busy time of year, but I am not sure when I can say that it isn't a busy time of year. Always busy...bzzzz. There's a lot coming up in the coming months. I am especially honored to be a part of so many benefits, supporting beautiful causes - so necessary to the community. I hope that you'll make a choice to come out and support these organizations. I'll be sending a newsletter soon with many more details. In the meantime, check out my SCHEDULE and I'll look forward to seeing you out and about soon! Enjoy the light of spring!

it might as well be spring!

Hello Friends!

Hope you all have had a beautiful start to the year. It's hard to believe that it's nearing March. WHAT?! It's harder to believe that we had snow - actual SNOW - in Charleston, two weeks ago. I suppose every decade or so isn't too bad. I am looking forward to what has already been a super busy start to SPRING! I'm restless, giddy, starry-eyed and perhaps even a bit vaguely discontented, definitely spinning daydreams...it might as well be spring!

Ella Fitzgerald singing Rodgers & Hammerstein's
"It Might As Well Be Spring"
www.youtube.com/watch

Hope to see you soon!
Paz y Amor,
Peace and Love,
Leah

TONIGHT @ PLUM ELEMENTS!
25 FEBRUARY 2010 | Thursday | 6-9pm

The Big DōMo


Plum Elements will sadly be closing its doors on King Street soon. The gallery's owner, Andrea Schenck, is throwing a celebration of gratitude. We hope that you'll come out and thank HER for being such an inspiration and enormous advocate for art in our community. There will be wine, tasty treats and HUGE SALES! The trio will also be playing to set the mood. 6-9pm! FREE! The beautiful canopy above is painted by one of our own talents in Charleston, and my dear friend, Lisa Shimko. SEE HER WORK HERE!

EVERY MONDAY @ MERCATO
102 North Market Street, Downtown Charleston
843.722.6393

Every Monday is MEATBALL MONDAY (I'm serious.) at Mercato Restaurant, located in the heart of Downtown Charleston. If I ate meatballs, I would highly recommend them. Everything on their menu is pretty tasty! They do have meatless options. Lots o' pasta and really yummy pizzas. There's also a JAZZ TRIO! I'm singing with Gerald Gregory on keys and Nick Jenkins on drums. 6-10pm. I do suggest reservations if you're coming for dinner. Or grab a seat at the bar! Mercato offers jazz six nights a week - there is not a night you'll want to miss!

SAVE THE DATE

SINGIN' ON BASIE w/ The Charleston Jazz Orchestra!
27 MARCH 2010
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! THEJAC.ORG

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
Sponsored by People Against Rape
01 April 2010

JAZZ VESPERS @ The Charleston Circular Church
11 April 2010

TEACHERS' SUPPLY CLOSET BENEFIT
18 April 2010

and more...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Go Pink.

If you haven't noticed, with all of the pink flair around town and in windows and on wrists and lapels....it's BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. Save those ta tas! We're at Mercato every Monday, 6-10pm. So, while you're there do your part and order your Mertatatini and a Pink Pizza (which is actually quite delicious, by the way!) and help FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!

See you tonight. I'll be the one wearing pink. Well, all black and a splash of pink...

fall "break"

I am officially on fall "break," but that only means it's time for me to catch up!

TONIGHT, 10 October @ MED BISTRO
w/ John Oden (guitar)
*and there is a special guest sitting in with us! :)
7-10pm

TOMORROW, 11 October @ KUDU
w/ Tyler Ross (guitar) and Nick Jenkins (drums)
2-5pm

Back to catching up....I've got to send out an official email blast out soon, but right now I am staring at my overflowing inbox. Love to you all!

Hope to see you this weekend!

Love,
Leah

October Skies = Blue Skies

They are blue and "smiling at me," these October skies...and they are GORGEOUS! It's nice to see and feel the change in the air. I was also very surprised at the change in the air from Charleston to Columbia. For those of you who don't know, my weeks are spent mostly as a road warrior, between Charleston and Columbia. I started graduate school this fall semester. It's significantly cooler in Columbia in the mornings and evenings. A nice change, indeed. I am now realizing that you're probably not reading my blog to hear me ramble about the weather....

Tonight, Med Bistro, West Ashley, next to Earth Fare. Tyler Ross will be on guitar and I will be singing. We play 7-10pm. The food is Mediterranean influenced, and they have a nice wine and beer selection. The walls are adorned with work from local artists. And there's parking! What more can you ask for??

After a little hiatus, healing from a broken right hand, Gerald is back on keys at Mercato. The hand seems to be healing, slowly but surely. It's the trio at Mercato, every Monday, 6-10pm. MercatoCharleston.com for reservations, menu, etc. Reservations aren't necessary, but recommended if you're eating dinner. They do have a really fantastic bar as well, so stop on by...have a drink...or three.

Lots of news on the JAC [Jazz Artists of Charleston] front. Planning for 2010 and beyond has been exciting, to say the least. Keep your ears and eyes open for the latest. In the meantime, visit THEJAC.ORG for more info.

Enjoy the weather change....and I hope to see your smiling faces soon!

Love,
Leah

this weekend

This weekend I'm out at Atlanticville again...but with a new guitar player! His name is Tyler Ross. He will be teaching this fall at the College of Charleston. We play 7-10pm and it's a great covered outdoor deck on Sullivan's Island. Perfect place for a chill Friday evening. www.atlanticville.net

Sunday, August 9th we're back at Kudu! Joining me will be John Oden on guitar and Stuart White on drums. Looking forward to getting back into my Kudu groove...hope you'll join me! iheartkudu.com

Back at Mercato on Monday. This time with Ron Wiltrout on drums and Gerald Gregory back on keys. Many thanks to all who have come out to support! mercatocharleston.com

Hope you are all having a beautiful week!

Sea Libre,
Leah

bzzz....like a B.

Hope you all have been enjoying your summer months! It is so hard to believe that August is here already. Where has the time all gone to?? I finally was able to hit the beach last weekend and just couldn't quite comprehend why I'm not out there more. I didn't ponder too long....I was asleep in less than 10 minutes.

As August sweeps in and yet another birthday is upon me (yikes!), I am thrilled to fill you in on a few additions to my schedule. Monday nights I will be playing regularly at Mercato Restaurant, Downtown, from 6-10pm. We started almost 3 weeks ago and we've had a fantastic time! Nick, Gerald and I are the usual trio, but the next couple of weeks will have Stuart White and Ron Wiltrout, respectively, filling in on percussion. Gerald will still be on keys. Mercato is a hip Italian joint off of Market Street, next to Planter's Inn and Peninsula Grill. Great food, reasonably priced and I hear their music is pretty sweet, too. :) In fact, they are offering jazz six nights a week now and have a terrific line-up. My point: GO TO MERCATO. Visit mercatocharleston.com to make your reservations or just show up and seat yourself at their oh-so-hip bar.

Here's the rundown for this weekend...and what the hell, NEXT weekend, too!

Friday, 31 July @ Atlanticville w/ John Oden (guitar)
Saturday, 1 August @ Med Bistro w/ John Oden (guitar)
Monday, 3 August @ Mercato w/ Gerald Gregory (keys) + Stuart White (percussion)

***

Friday, 7 August @ Atlanticville w/ Tyler Ross (guitar)
Sunday, 9 August @ Kudu w/ John Oden (guitar) + Stuart White (percussion)
Monday, 10 August @ Mercato w/ Gerald Gregory (keys) + Ron Wiltrout (percussion)

And SEPTEMBER 4th....MARK YOUR CALENDARS! LATIN NIGHT featuring the CHARLESTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA! Yours truly will be singing with the big band! You won't want to miss this special event! Tickets ON SALE NOW at THEJAC.ORG or ETIX.COM or by calling 843.641.0011.

Peace and Love,
Paz y Amor,
Leah

Brought to you by the letter B.