By Breanne Massey
Pioneer Staff
A Nelson-based band will be bringing a colourful performance to the Columbia Valley this weekend.
Vocalist Laura Landsberg will be performing live with Paul Landsberg (guitar), Tony Ferraro (drums) and Doug Stephenson (bass) at Saftas, located at 1321 7th Ave. in Invermere, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4th.
I received a touring grant, which is supported through the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Ms. Landsberg explained about her first-ever performance in Invermere. Part of their mandate is that if you live in the West Kootenay, they want you to go to the East Kootenay more and do your thing, so I started doing the tour.
She began touring with a big band, but soon discovered the project would not be viable that way. As a result, she sent in a new proposal to visit fewer places with a smaller band.
Im going to come there and do my little tunes, said Ms. Landsberg. Its all covers. I havent really been into (performing) originals, and I havent really gone down that road in my career so far, but Im really looking forward to (playing at Saftas).
She is eager to share the sound of her music in the Columbia Valley and credits the CBT for supporting her tour.
I have one little connection to Invermere, she said with a chuckle. My daughter goes to Quest and her best friend is from Invermere. Her name is Miranda.
In addition to being a musician, Ms. Landsberg leads a busy life as a mother to six children and as a Selkirk College contemporary music and technology instructor, plus she is a jazz singer. She has been performing a wide variety of jazz, blues and gospel music for over 35 years, and has shared the stage with Chucho Valdez, the Brubeck Brothers, Neil Swainson, Hugh Fraser and VEIJI as well as the Spokane Jazz Orchestra.
Ms. Landsberg recently released an album entitled A Simple Twist to highlight tunes that have genres varying from rock n roll to jazz and country.
Theres nothing better than touring with a band of respected musicians with an album that people will easily find a connection to, she explained in a recent press release. I had such a wonderful time recording these incredible songs in a new way. I cant wait to perform them in front of a live audience.
She covers classic songs by world-renowned entertainers such as Van Morrison, CCR, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan.
For more information, visit www.LauraLandsberg.com or www.Facebook.com/LauraLandsbergMusic.
WEST MEETS EAST Nelson vocalist Laura Landsberg will be playing her first show in Invermere on March 4th when she and her band perform at Saftas. Their tour is supported by a CBT grant that encourages West Kootenay musicians to perform in the East Kootenay. Photo submitted
