Carol Leslie makes her Blu Jazz debut on Friday 28th October 2022, with an incredible ensemble that’s sure to appeal, spanning the broad spectrum of jazz, R & B, gospel, and contemporary. While she loves The Great American Songbook, she also likes to sneak in a few “side B” tunes, for that element of surprise, when she makes them uniquely her own. From Edinburgh, Scotland, Carol embraces the music of jazz legends like Billie, Ella, and Sarah. Prior to calling America home, she represented Scotland on Independent Television’s ‘Rising Stars,’ broadcast live throughout 44 countries of Europe and the UK! Her torch songs reach the heart with her blue-eyed soul.
Jeff Slater, a Baldwin Wallace, and U. of Wisconsin graduate, plays both electric and upright bass, and is well versed in all styles of jazz, R&B, rock, and world music. He is a devotee of Bill Evans, and Brazilian music, is an educator and composer.
Ed Ridley, a composer, pianist, and educator, renowned in local jazz and NE Ohio musical theater, wrote the original musical score for the docudrama, “Selma, Alabama,” which was selected by the Cleveland Short Sweet Film Festival. He is currently Adjunct Faculty at Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Community College.
Jim Alexander, drummer, studied Music/Jazz Studies at Queens College, and Oberlin Conservatory, is a former Adjunct Music Professor of Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland and returns to Ohio from New York City; he played and toured with several greats of jazz and R & B. We are so lucky he decided to return to Ohio!