Jazz vocalist Leslie Casey was able to accomplish something on her debut album that many unsigned acts—of any genre—have never done: The Pittsburgh native received radio airplay in the Netherlands and in the U.K. “When I did my first CD I had it on MySpace, and it allowed me to meet people who wanted to play my music. So I was able to get my music played overseas," Casey explained. “It was a great feeling, especially with my debut CD."
But Casey landing on overseas playlists had more to do with her impeccable singing than the blind luck of social networking. Casey's recent full-length album, Let's Play, is rooted in classic vocal jazz and vintage R&B, an invigorating marriage of streetwise soul and raw emotion. On “In a Sentimental Mood" and “Summertime," Casey projects a profound ache in her heart with unrestrained power. Her delivery is smooth but real; this lady has no tolerance for the artificial.
Given that Casey is from Pittsburgh, near the Philadelphia area that birthed a soul renaissance in the early '70s, one would assume that she was raised on that music. Surprisingly, that is not the case. “Growing up in Pittsburgh I wasn't as aware of the Philadelphia sound as I am now," Casey revealed. “However, I knew that there was soulful sound coming through that was being introduced to music after the Motown era. So musicians were able to capitalize on the sound. And, frankly, I loved it."
Although receiving exposure in other countries can be exciting, some musicians ironically find that regional success can be the hardest to obtain. For Casey, though, she has discovered that breaking into the music scene is a step-by-step process. “I found it more difficult getting in clubs than breaking in the scene," Casey explained. “However, when the door opened I was able to play at some interesting and exciting venues in New York City and Washington, D.C. Then slowly I just ran with the opportunities that were given to me and never looked back. I think that is how I was able to overcome it."
Casey's voice—at times bluesy, playful, or melancholy—is remarkably free from any professional instruction. “Not one voice lesson," Casey said. “Although I don't see anything wrong with taking them now. I grew up just singing on my own with the songs that my mother would play. Plus, both my father and mother were singers so I think it was a natural gift that was given to me by them. I found myself knowing how to sing and it went from there."
But Casey landing on overseas playlists had more to do with her impeccable singing than the blind luck of social networking. Casey's recent full-length album, Let's Play, is rooted in classic vocal jazz and vintage R&B, an invigorating marriage of streetwise soul and raw emotion. On “In a Sentimental Mood" and “Summertime," Casey projects a profound ache in her heart with unrestrained power. Her delivery is smooth but real; this lady has no tolerance for the artificial.
Given that Casey is from Pittsburgh, near the Philadelphia area that birthed a soul renaissance in the early '70s, one would assume that she was raised on that music. Surprisingly, that is not the case. “Growing up in Pittsburgh I wasn't as aware of the Philadelphia sound as I am now," Casey revealed. “However, I knew that there was soulful sound coming through that was being introduced to music after the Motown era. So musicians were able to capitalize on the sound. And, frankly, I loved it."
Although receiving exposure in other countries can be exciting, some musicians ironically find that regional success can be the hardest to obtain. For Casey, though, she has discovered that breaking into the music scene is a step-by-step process. “I found it more difficult getting in clubs than breaking in the scene," Casey explained. “However, when the door opened I was able to play at some interesting and exciting venues in New York City and Washington, D.C. Then slowly I just ran with the opportunities that were given to me and never looked back. I think that is how I was able to overcome it."
Casey's voice—at times bluesy, playful, or melancholy—is remarkably free from any professional instruction. “Not one voice lesson," Casey said. “Although I don't see anything wrong with taking them now. I grew up just singing on my own with the songs that my mother would play. Plus, both my father and mother were singers so I think it was a natural gift that was given to me by them. I found myself knowing how to sing and it went from there."
