Jazz Standards, New Arrangements,
and Original Compositions

Vocalist and violinist Kara Leigh is making her mark in the music community with her elegant, clear voice and enchanting violin playing. The combination of jazz standards, unique arrangements, and original compositions has Kara's fan base ever increasing. She has graced the stage of the Lied Center for Performing Arts, and the renowned blues bar, The Zoo Bar, in Lincoln, NE. With the release of her debut album "Black Coffee," Kara Leigh is poised for a promising career as a jazz musician.

A violinist since the age of 4, Kara Leigh has long been captivating audiences with her musical talent. A native of Nebraska, Kara grew up with a wealth of musical influences in her family of musicians.

While she was listening to Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Bach, Kara discovered Manhattan Transfer and Sarah Vaughn. It wasn't long before Kara began singing jazz for fun, although it wasn’t until college that she began to study jazz.

On a classical violin scholarship to the University of Colorado at Boulder, Kara joined the Vocal Jazz Ensemble her junior year. Her senior year she was chosen to sing in a select group of four women in a Vocal jazz quartet.

This experience led Kara to study jazz more seriously, taking lessons with pianists Chip Stephens and Art Lande. With the encouragement of her teachers, Kara decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies, and chose the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. It was here she merged her love of singing jazz with her prowess on the violin, under the direction of Patricia Barber and Michael Molloy.

She sang lead soprano in the Downbeat award winning Vocal Jazz Ensemble "The New Deal." Kara began to create her unique style by arranging traditional jazz tunes with classical, musical theatre, latin, blues, popular, and original music.

Kara currently resides in Lincoln, NE and teaches jazz at Doane College and violin at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is a violinist in the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, and freelances as a vocalist and violinist, as well as an arranger and composer. Kara is in demand as a vocal ensemble clinician and festival conductor. Her jazz combo performs regularly in the Midwest, in clubs, concert venues, and music festivals.

01/20/08
Kara Leigh Jazz Combo to be featured in
10-11 News story.
On February 1st, the Kara Leigh Jazz Combo will be performing at the Delray Ballroom. A news crew from 10-11 will be there to film the performance and interview the group.

They will be featured in Lance Schwartz's "Lance's Journal" sometime in February. We’ll keep you posted as to the date the story will air!

01/13/08
Kara returns from IAJE conference in Toronto
Kara spent the last week in Toronto, Canada attending the International Jazz Educators conference. She had an amazing week attending performances, clinics, and educational classes.

Some of the highlights for her were: The Tierney Sutton Band performance, seeing Jon Hendricks perform, listening to Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling discuss the art of the vocalese, the New York Voices performance, and the opportunity to meet other jazz musicians from all over the world.

12/20/07
Kara has a new blog!
Check it out—www.karaleighmusic.blogspot.com
Keep up to date with all Kara is up to with her
new blog. <<

Friday, June 11th at 5:30pm.
Joshua Memorial Fundraiser at Grand Manse, Lincoln, NE.  Tickets are available here

>>

Past dates
Monday, December 1st 7:30pm.
"Cocoa and Carols" at Doane college. Jazz Unlimited Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble. Doane College Commons Area Coffee shop.

Friday, December 5th 7:30pm.
"Deck the Halls" with the Lincoln Symphony. Lied Center. Tickets available at www.liedcenter.org

Thursday, December 11th 8pm (doors open at 7:30pm).
"Swingin' into the Holidays" with Kara Leigh Jazz Combo and special guest, Darryl White, trumpet. Rococo Theatre, Lincoln. $15 ahead of time, $20 at the door. $5 students at the door. Tickets available at www.rococotheatre.com

Friday, December 12th 6pm.
Doane College, Private Party.

Past dates
Friday, December 19th 6pm,
Cornhusker Hotel, Private Party.

Saturday, February 2009 7th 7:30pm.
"Inspirational Melodies" with Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Kimball Recital Hall, University of Nebraska.

Saturday, March 14th 2009 7:30pm.
"LSO at the Movies" with Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Kimball Recital Hall, University of Nebraska.

Saturday, March 28th 2009 7:30pm.
"Swing into Spring" with Doane's Jazz Unlimited and Jazz Ensemble. Heckman Auditorium, Doane College, Crete, NE.

Past dates
Thursday, April 2nd 2009 7:30pm and Friday, April 3rd 7:30pm.
"Pedals and Pipes" with Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. First Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln.

Friday, May 1st 2009 7pm.
Crescent Moon. Jazz Unlimited of Doane College and soloists.

Saturday, May 30 2009 5pm.
Private Wedding.

Saturday, July 25th 2009 5pm.
Private Wedding.

Past dates
Sunday, November 16th 3pm.
Lincoln Civic Orchestra. O'donnell Auditorium, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Monday, November 17th 7pm.
Private Party.

Friday, August 22nd 7-9pm
Crescent Moon Coffee house. In the Haymarket at 816 P Street, Lincoln Ne.

Saturday, August 23rd 7pm.
The Tassel Performing Arts Center. 1324 Tilden St, Holdrege, NE.

Both dates featuring the Kara Leigh Jazz Combo, with Julia Anders, piano; Brian Daw, bass; Jeff Scheffler, guitar; and Greg Ahl, drums.

Past dates

Friday, August 22nd 7-9pm
Crescent Moon Coffee house. In the Haymarket at 816 P Street, Lincoln Ne.

Saturday, August 23rd 7pm.
The Tassel Performing Arts Center. 1324 Tilden St, Holdrege, NE.

Both dates featuring the Kara Leigh Jazz Combo, with Julia Anders, piano; Brian Daw, bass; Jeff Scheffler, guitar; and Greg Ahl, drums.

Past dates
Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Pyrtle Elementary School. Lincoln, NE. Guest artist with chorus.

Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Southeast Community College, Lincoln, NE. 12:30 and 2pm.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
Nebraska Wesleyan University. Lincoln, NE. 7:30pm.

Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008.
The Delray Ballroom. Lincoln, NE. Kabloom studios party. 11-2pm.

<<>>

Past dates
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007.
The Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln, NE. 6pm.

Monday, Nov. 19, 2007.
Doane College. Crete, NE. 7:00pm.

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2007.
The Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE. CD Release Concert. 8:00pm.

Sunday, October 21, 2007.
Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL. 3pm

<<

Kara Leigh and Julia Andrews have released their
first CD, "Black Coffee."

It is the debut album for both. With a combination
of jazz standards, creative arrangements, and audience favorites, this CD is sure to please the
jazz connoisseur.

NOW AVAILABLE AT CD Baby!
Pick up your copy today.

Please email Kara at: kara@karaleighmusic.com.