An artist defined by passion, LEAH MARIE KING has astounded audiences with both her craftsmanship as a songwriter and her skills as a fierce guitar player, inciting everything from standing ovations to tears. With an affinity to the Canadian prairies, her songs range from lyrically based folk-rock to down and dirty blues-rock derivatives highlighted by her guitar solos. Growing up in both Western Canada and the suburbs of New York City, Leah draws upon a wide range of experiences reflected in her strong lyrical content and unique songwriting skills.
Leah Marie King picked up her first guitar at the age of 15, highly influenced by her music-loving family. She grew up listening to a wide range of music from the rock sounds of The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and CCR, to the country folk styles of Chet Atkins, Neil Young and Ian Tyson, to the heartfelt guitar-based blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King, all of which are reflected in her songwriting and guitar work.
Leah’s music career began in 2002 when she joined a guitar duo, Blue Shift, and then in 2003 when she joined the respected blues-rock band Texas Flood, touring Western Canada for 6 years. Playing everywhere from underground blues clubs to large outdoor festivals proved to be a vitally important love as the combination of Leah’s haunting vocals and fierce guitar work wowed audiences. She then decided to commit herself to a solo career.
In the spring of 2008 Leah released her first album, “The Raven Child”, recorded in Vancouver, B.C., further demonstrating her natural musical talent. The following months were spent in Chicago, Nashville, and Austin as Leah learned up close from some of her heroes and influences such as Buddy Guy and Jimmie Vaughan. In the summer of 2009, Leah recorded her second album “Back To The Bridge” in Lethbridge, Alberta, followed by a U.S. tour that took her through 23 states over four months.
Leah Marie King is currently based in Calgary, Alberta and is excited about her decision to remain in Canada to promote her deep passion and love for music. Onstage, her fans are mesmerized by her intensity. As her songwriting skills gain more and more attention from her growing fan base and from many respected musicians, Leah remains fiercely devoted to her deeply ingrained love for music and her goal to continue to play music for music’s sake.
“I believe that music has the power to momentarily set people free from their everyday lives and stresses, and that is what is most appealing to me… I feel like I am helping people.” – Leah Marie King
