Lesley Young

As soon as, she got her first guitar, at age sixteen Lesley began a lifetime of songwriting. It was obvious she had a natural talent for words and music. Coming from a family of visual artists, writers and musicians, living in the multicultural Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada, she absorbed a myriad of influences. A former visual arts student, certified reflexologist and sous chef, Lesley's talents are refreshing, versitile and perceptive.

She studied guitar and composition, with James Pett and Steve Briggs (graduates of Berklee School of Music), and voice with Pat Hawke at The Kingston School of Music. Lesley has many years experience teaching guitar at The Cabbagetown Community Arts Center, and has facilitated music workshops and hosted acoustic stages.



Lesley's extensive performing experience includes; musical theatre productions for Street Cry Theatre, the Third Annual Production of "Starboy" in Ottawa, Mariposa on the street's ART BEAT Festival, many appearances at Cabbagetown Festival, Parkdale Then and Now Festival, and collaborations with choreographer Bayla Rae Goldman at Dancemakers and Festival of Independent dance (FIDA). She has performed solo and with band inToronto at venues including: Hugh's Room, Freetimes Cafe, The Rivoli, Lees Palace, Mitzi's Sister, The Savanah Room. She has also appeared in Peterborough, Ottawa, Sydney, Mabou in Cape Breton, NS, and in Brighton, England. Lesley recently performed in Toronto's annual Nuit Blanche Festival, and performed weekly at Cafe Taste on the hip Queen Street west strip. She has attracted praise from her peers, opening up for Kenny Maclean's band, Mose Scarlette, Don Ross and her most recent guest appearance was with Danny Marks at Jeff Healey's Roadhouse. She will be touring in The Netherlands this spring.



From Lesley's second album, The title track from Lesley's second album Inside, was chosen TOP 5 finalist in the international ?Song of the Year? songwriting competition, and the international ?Songwriters Universe? songwriting competition. Jezebel, from the same album, was picked Top 5 finalist in the Great American Songwriting Contest. Lesley is a musician of depth and quality. A strong guitar player, vocalist, and arranger, she also produced her second album. Lesley's unique sound could be well described as acoustic alternative with a twist of jazz. Her work reflects the acoustic guitar styles of Joan Armatrading, Ralph Towner, Bruce Cockburn, Jimmy Page, Nick Drake, and influences of songwriters Suzanne Vega, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, bands like The Beatles, and more recent musical influences Radiohead, The Pretty Things, and Jeff Buckley.