BE THE LIGHT Tour – Lea Morris
We are delighted to welcome Lea Morris, SoulFolk singer and songwriter to Bath for the first time.
Join us as US-American singer/songleader, Lea Morris, shares original, contemporary and traditional multi-layered, polyrhythmic songs. We’ll sing in celebration of the beautiful contrast of dark and light. Lea will also be performing some of her songs for us to round off the day.
Lea’s sound often draws comparisons to Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell. It’s no wonder, with her warm vocals, insightful lyrics and familiar melodies. However, as Lea’s compositions expand to include looped harmonies, vocal percussion and other elements, it’s clear that her SoulFolk style is unique.
Lea was one of eight composers commissioned by the Natural Voice Network Black Lives Matter Commissioning project in 2022 for which she wrote two songs: Lifting as we Climb (short and longer versions).
Lea brings her uplifting, thought provoking, positive craft to venues as diverse as arts centers, universities, festivals, coffeehouses, nightclubs, shelters, and places of worship. With powerful vocals and dynamic guitar work, she seamlessly blends gospel, jazz, country and R&B into her own brand of “feel-good” contemporary folk.
Oft acknowledged was one of the best vocalists and songwriters in the US capital, Lea has shared the stage with luminaries including Dar Williams, Anthony Hamilton, and Mavis Staples. She has been presented at The Strathmore, Kennedy Center, Birchmere, and Wolf Trap in Washington, DC, as well as many clubs and Kulturvereine in Germany.
11am – 3:30pm Singing workshop led by Lea
4 – 5pm Performance by Lea
St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY
Born in Washington DC to a father who toured the world playing trumpet in a funk band and a mother who dreamed of opera, Lea began to sing in the Baptist church as soon as she could speak. In high school, she started teaching herself to play acoustic guitar by writing songs. Then, she embarked on an exchange year in Halle, Germany, where the artist dabbled in classical, jazz and pop. Lea’s voice and musicianship are often heard on recordings by Stockfisch Records for whom she frequently provides backing vocals. In fact, she has been nominated for and won several awards, including, Best Vocalist, Best Recording, and Songwriter of the Year.
Having shared the stage with luminaries including Odetta and Mavis Staples, Lea is also returning to her roots by composing multi-layered chants and grounding a community singing experience in Braunschweig, Germany, where she currently resides.
