By Nanette Wiser
What’s your playlist for a romantic or upbeat evening? Brazilian jazz bossa nova chanteuse Daniela Soledad and local indie musical prodigy Leon Vincent both call Paradise home.
Leon Vincent: Publisher Renee Roos discovered the 12-year-old singer/pianist in St. Pete Beach at the Corey Avenue Sunday Market, where he often performs. Upcoming shows include Neptune Grill (3/12), Florida State Fair (4/1) as well as the SandBar Tiki & Grill in Englewood.
His passion for music started early, writing his first song “Highway Girl” at age 7. In addition to writing music and playing piano, he plays both ukulele and guitar. “I am following my dream,” says Leon. “When I look at the piano keys, I see colors. Every sound has a color. This mysterious phenomenon is called ‘synesthesia,’ and few people have one, but I have double; for me, it makes it easier to learn music and math. Billy Joel and Elton John had it.”
Leon is self-taught, and although his parents are not musicians, they’ve dabbled, and he even has one of his mom’s guitars.
“I teach myself how to play by ear,” he says.
He auditioned for America’s Got Talent and made it through three rounds as well as another show he can’t mention right now and will hear back in 2021. His inspiration? Harry Styles, Taylor Swift (he’d love to duet with her), Ava Max, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Billy Joel, Sean Mendes and music documentaries on Netflix, and has a “quadrillion voice memos” of lyrics and songs he wants to turn into finished songs.
Leon prefers solo performing because he can “communicate with myself and my piano and blast away, can update a song on the fly when I’m performing.”
Homeschooling gives him time to work on his music and other passions – tinkering, soldering, nature and playing with his cat Mousie, who likes to push his face into Leon’s when recording. Mentoring musical talent in other kids is important to Leon. “I want to be someone other people can look up to, can feel good about listening and making music. Music is my passion and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
www.leonvincentmusic.com
www.youtu.be/-9J21dDXheo
www.facebook.com/leon.vincent.505
Daniela Soledad: This girl from Ipanema now lives in downtown St. Pete. “I love being able to walk everywhere and being part of this wonderful community,” says the Brazilian transplant. “Most of all I love the live music you find everywhere on Central and Beach Drive.”
Daniela and Palladium jazz favorite Nate Najar met in Florida through a bit of serendipity and that collaboration has led to live performances, virtual Facebook concerts and more. “I was a stay-at-home mom at the time and having grown up in a musical environment and attending the conservatory back in Brazil, I decided I wanted to begin performing professionally. I booked a gig and hired my good friend Phill Fest to play guitar. Phill is a fabulous Brazilian guitarist who lives on the east coast of Florida. He became unavailable for the gig and recommended his good friend Nate Najar. Nate and I began working together here and there, and one day he offered to produce an album for me. The rest, as they say, is history!”
Her local faves? “I like having lunch at Mickey’s Cafe & Organics, getting wine, cheese and bread at MUST Wine Loft, walking to Kahwa Coffee to have a cappuccino with Nate, taking the kids to the North Shore playground, having a picnic on Straub Park by the banyan trees, going to the Pier, going to Spa Beach, going to the Dali Museum or the Imagine Museum, going to events at the Palladium and Studio@620, there is just so much to do,” says the gorgeous singer, known for her phrasing and tender vocals.
Daniela’s musical style is inspired by João Gilberto, Julie London, Kurt Elling, Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane as well as the Great American Songbook and classic American Jazz when she is not spending time in the studio. The beautifully curated new album, “A Moment of You,” opens with the classic samba “Eu Sambo Mesmo,” moves smoothly through a bossa-flavored version of Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” and on to a closing voice-guitar duet of Charles Trenet’s “I Wish You Love.” Brazilian musical heritage is well represented, from Jobim’s “Someone to Light Up My Life” to Marcos Valle’s “Safely in Your Arms, ” Rosa Passos’ “Dunas,” and Los Hermanos’ “Veja Bem Meu Bem.”
Tune in to their Friday Facebook livestream concerts, on YouTube or catch them at Tapas at Ponce (some Saturdays), Bok Towers (3/12) and other local spots by signing up for the eblast on www.danielasoledade.com.
3 of our Local Favorite Artists!