Denise Leslie is on a mission to "bring the fun back to jazz", starting with her supple, loving take on "Day After Day", the Brit-rock classic from Badfinger - the fitting first single from her debut solo album ONE FINE MORNING, a disc that sits squarely at the intersection of jazz, R&B and rock. ” - Darryl Sterdan

— Tinnitist

ABOUT DENISE...

With a unique sound that seamlessly blends Jazz with elements of Pop and R&B, there is something for everyone to love about Denise Leslie.  A gifted entertainer and storyteller, Denise transports audiences with her sumptuous vocals and innovative live performances. 

Denise makes it her mission to infuse as much fun into her Jazz as possible - quite evident in her fresh arrangements and unique musical interpretations.  With the release of her debut recording, ONE FINE MORNING, Denise has now become one of Canada's emerging vocalists to watch.  For years this singer has been under the radar, biding her time on the club circuit, working her chops, booking weddings, private events and fronting the Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble the last 5 years.  "I'd always known it was going to take a pretty ambitious artistic endeavor to help push me up above that radar.  This project is exactly that endeavor." remarks Leslie.  

With infectious grooves and fresh arrangements One Fine Morning features well-crafted renditions of cherished pop songs from the 1970s including hits from Lighthouse, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, George Benson and The Police.  "The music of the 70s had a pureness; melody was more integral to songwriting and the great artists of our time dug deeper than ever creatively...For each tune I have a cherished personal memory and a deep respect for the artistry behind each song."  she explains.  The new recording offers a fresh sound that is hip, innovative and familiar all at once.  Showcasing Leslie's impressive vocal range and dynamic phrasing, One Fine Morning is an album not to be missed.  

Denise's Schedule...

Previous events

Date Event Location
West End Jazz Open Mic with Heather Christine Port House Social Bar & Kitchen, Mississauga Port House Social Bar & Kitchen, Mississauga
 —  — Mississauga Big Band Open Mic - hosting Cooksville United Church, Mississauga Cooksville United Church, Mississauga
 —  — Isn’t She Lovely: A Celebration of Women in Music Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts , Oakville Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts , Oakville
 —  — Denise Leslie with Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble - AT THE LEGION Legion Hall, Port Credit , Mississauga Legion Hall, Port Credit , Mississauga
 —  — Denise Leslie with Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble - Latinfest Celebration Square, Mississauga On, Mississauga Celebration Square, Mississauga On, Mississauga
 —  — One Fine Jazz Evening with Denise Leslie & Friends. Ontario Racquet Club , Mississauga Ontario Racquet Club , Mississauga
 —  — Denise Leslie at Kings Court Estate Winery King’s Court Estate Winery , St. Catherine’s King’s Court Estate Winery , St. Catherine’s
 —  — Denise Leslie Trio Reid’s Distillery, Toronto Reid’s Distillery, Toronto
Live at the Legion with Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble Port Credit Legion, Mississauga Port Credit Legion, Mississauga
 —  — Denise Leslie with guitarist Bob McAlpine The Vista at Mt Alverno Resort, Caledon The Vista at Mt Alverno Resort, Caledon
Jazz Vespers with Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble Cooksville United Church, Mississauga Cooksville United Church, Mississauga
 —  — Christmas Jazz Vespers with the Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble Cooksville United Church , Mississauga Cooksville United Church , Mississauga
 —  — Denise Leslie at River 16 Restaurant & Lounge River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville
 —  — Denise Leslie at River 16 Restaurant and Lounge River16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville River16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville
 —  — Denise Leslie at River 16 Restaurant & Lounge River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville
 —  — Denise Leslie at River 16 Restaurant and Lounge River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville
 —  — Denise Leslie with Rob Thaller at River 16 Restaurant & Lounge River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville River 16 Restaurant & Lounge, Oakville
Woman Wednesday Studio Paint Bar, Port Credit, Port Credit Studio Paint Bar, Port Credit, Port Credit
 — (EDT, UTC-04)  — (EDT, UTC-04) Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble with vocalist Denise Leslie Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga
 —  — Denise Leslie & guitarist Joe Leslie Kings Court Estate Winery, St Catherines Kings Court Estate Winery, St Catherines

photos: Adrian Fiebig

Sample Tracks from ONE FINE MORNING:

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REMINISCING premieres Valentines' Day 2021

Planned and shot during the 2020 Covid emergency we had our challenges preparing for the shoot including issues with scheduling, weather, the inability of my guitarist Bob McALpine to join us, and post production.  But, we managed to pull together  a truly wonderful end result!  Shooting entirely outdoors helped enormously.  We shot mostly in and around the town of Waterdown.  The charming La Salle Pavilion served as the perfect backdrop for our young couple to fall in love and helped lend a historic setting for our look back in time.  

While critiquing the album, says Lesley Mitchell-Clarke: "...an absolute standout is Little River Band's tender reverie, "Reminiscing", presented here with a stunning ,succinct vocal arrangement; truly a compelling version of one of the loveliest contemporary pop ballads ever written".  

Day After Day

Kinda quirky and all-intriguing, Canadian artist Denise Leslie makes it her mission to raise the bar on the fun factor with her jazz, through fresh arrangements, unique musical interpretations and magnetic charisma. She lays it all out on ambitious debut album "One Fine Morning" ” - Lenny Stoute

— Cashbox Magazine CANADA

Launch party - ONE FINE MORNING

INDIEGOGO - One Fine Morning

Back in May/june of 2019, I ran an INDIEGOGO fundraising campaign and managed to raise $8,550.00.  i would like to again thank all of those friends, family and fans who wished me well and so kindly contributed to the making of "ONE FINE MORNING".  It's no  small affair asking for donations for an art project but so many of you rose to the occasion and I could not have been more touched by your enthusiasm and loving words of encouragement!  The funds raised contributed to the cost of mixing and mastering of the project.  

FEATURE: Alex Gregory, Peel Weekly News Jan 30/2020

Links to Media features on Denise & "ONE FINE MORNING"...

Review  George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly  Dec 3rd/2020:

 https://www.jazzweekly.com/2020/12/denise-leslie-one-fine-morning/

Feature in Cashbox Canada Magazine  Jan 18/2020: 

https://cashboxcanada.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e0af9800e4df806ade59099ab&id=033f308425&e=bfbee877d4

2nd feature in Cashbox Canada Magazine  Jan 24/2020:

http://cashboxcanada.ca/index.php/features-music/btw-denise-leslie-audra-american-television-micah-barnes-elk-run-riot-china

Feature in TINNITIST Magazine  Jan 10/2020:

https://tinnitist.com/2020/01/10/denise-leslie-revamps-the-super-sounds-of-the-70s-on-one-fine-morning-album/

Interview with Montreal's Rick Keene  Jan 21/2020:

https://rickkeenemusicscene.com/2020/01/21/rick-keene-music-scene-denise-leslie-returns-to-the-past-on-new-cd/

Interview with Canada Beats Magazine "5 Questions with Denise Leslie"...

https://canadianbeats.ca/2020/01/14/five-questions-with-denise-leslie/

Interview with Jay Kana of Modern Mississauga Magazine  Dec 13/2019:

https://www.modernmississauga.com/main/2019/12/13/modern-artist-profile-mississaugas-denise-leslie

 

 

Inquiries

If you need to reach me ASAP, just drop me an email at:  deniseleslie@rogers.com.  

For all other inquiries, please complete the section below - I'll get back to you ASAP!