The next big thing: Ava Leigh

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Who is she?



A self-styled 'hippy chick' from Chester with an unlikely fondness for vintage reggae.

Why the fuss?

What Duffy did for classic U.S. soul, Ava is doing for the rootsy rhythms of Jamaica.

Best Ava effort: Leigh has found her reggae forte

Best Ava effort: Leigh has found her reggae forte

What does she sound like?

Ava, 22, brings a breezy pop feel to a style made famous long before she was born. Her backing tracks are surprisingly authentic, harking back to the late Seventies' golden age of singers such as Dennis Brown and Burning Spear, but the vocals are unmistakably fresh and British.

What's the story?

Ava's mum, who works for the Royal Mail, was a huge reggae fan and Ava recalls singing along to Matumbi's After Tonight and Janet Kay's Silly Games when the pair were doing the housework together in Chester. The singer toured with her school jazz band, but also practised in a local rehearsal studio at weekends. She rejected a place at stage school to follow her pop dreams.

And then?

Ava recorded some R&B material, but didn't find her niche until she returned to reggae three years ago. A record deal with Virgin followed shortly afterwards. She says: 'You know when something feels right. I was so happy when I finally found my music. I write lyrics about my own experiences, and I love songs that everyone can relate to. I want to make memories.'

What now?

Now based in Brighton, Ava cut her debut album, Rollin', in Britain and Jamaica, working with reggae legends Sly & Robbie, duetting with Finley Quaye and co-writing with Gabrielle.

Where can I hear more?

A single, La, La, La, is out on September 29, with Rollin' following a week later on October 6. Ava is also playing at the Party On The Green in Paignton, Devon, on September 6.


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