An award-winning singer, songwriter and emerging artist on the Canadian music scene, Ottawa’s Leila Goldberger has been writing and performing her own songs since high school and is currently working on her debut album. A published poet and formally-trained fine artist, Leila is inspired by the simple things in life, and believes that creating music is about being yourself and having fun. She notes that her writing process usually involves her dog, Juniper, who always proves to be a captive audience. Over the years Leila has played guitar and saxophone, but has now returned to the guitar, with which she composes and sings wonderful songs. Her single ‘Sisters’ is a neat story (available on iTunes, or hear it at: http://www.reverbnation.com/leilagoldberger ), and in 2013 she won the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award.
Turns out she is also a yoga instructor, so come and fold your limbs around a latte while listening to Leila’s lovely lyrics.
Then after a very short break to re-arrange the stage, we will present to you the talented Roland Doucet.
Roland plays swinging blues and bluesy swing! Covering classic tunes from the whole of the 20th century, Roland interprets (singing and guitar) material by the great composers of the first half of the century (Robert Johnson, Gershwin, Monk, etc.) but also some Beatles, Dylan, Hank Williams…
Roland started playing at 14, did a short stint at Berklee in Boston in the 80s, before going to live in New Orleans where he played blues, trad jazz, and R&B. In the 90s, he played in a blues band with his son in Winnipeg, and still occasionally gets up to play with him when he plays in the area. Here’s how Greg Kelly (Tunes Afternoon at the Black Irish, and also performer at Gaia Java not so long ago) described Roland’s music: “Roland does New Orleans-inspired jazz and blues standards, performed with joy and truth!”
As you can see, this will be a great evening of amazing local talent, so come early and get a seat.
Goldberger and Doucet are at Gaia Java on Friday March 6, 7:30pm, Stittsville Main Street.