bio

Boston based vocalist Leah Souza is an experienced performer and appears regularly with her quintet, quartet, trio and duo at jazz venues throughout Boston and New England. She performs her stylish interpretations of jazz, blues and songs from the Great American Songbook at festivals, fairs, concerts, upscale restaurants, hotel lounges and jazz clubs. Leah brings together the influences of Jazz, Blues & R&B in her own unique style. Her interpretation of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" was critically acclaimed and has received airplay on many radio stations across the country including stations in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Massachusetts. The song featuring Leah on vocals was recorded on Johnny Souza's "Meet Me in the City" CD featuring Johnny Souza, Ray Santisi, Barry Smith and Gene Roma. Leah has headlined 3 successful shows at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge and has an extensive list of past appearances.

Leah began singing at a very early age. She started performing at functions and outdoor concerts when she was thirteen. At 16, she was the lead vocalist of a seven piece band that was selected in a national talent search to perform in California. In high school she was the jazz bands featured vocalist and played the tenor saxophone in multiple bands.

Leah has studied with jazz songstress Rebecca Parris. For several years she regularly attended a Jazz All-Stars show at "Ricky T's Jazz Club" on the South Shore where she listened to the top jazz musicians in New England on a weekly basis and soon began sitting in with the different All-Star bands. This allowed her to develop as a musician and meet many wonderful and often legendary performers. Now a respected performer in her own right Leah Souza appears regularly at venues with many of those same musicians.She has performed along side many of New Englands top musicians including Michael Shea, John Baboian, John Harrison, Ben Cook, Paul Scmeling, Ray Santisi, Al Vega, Paul McWilliams, Steve Chamrin, Chris Taylor, Dave Landoni, Mark Pucci, Marshall Wood, Dave Zox, Peter Kontrimas, John Turner, Bronek Suchanek, Steve Skop, Barry Smith, Volker Nahrman, Rick Klane, Gary Johnson, Steve Silverstein, Greg Abate, Gene Roma, Yasko Kubota, Alexei Tsiganov, Ted Casher, Dick Johnson, Gray Sargent, Jerry Ceeco, Kenny Wenzel, Terry Anthony, John Repucci, and Tony Lada.

Each of Leah's bands are specifically geared to each venue where she performs, whether it be a lively exciting show with her quintet and quartet or a more subtle relaxed performance with her trio or simply singing romantic ballads and jazz standards as a duo with her piano player. Leah's shows are well received at each venue featuring her music!