Baltimore, MD--

The soul singer Leela James stands about a mere 5”1. Her voice in itself will blast you to the outer limits. Leela James high-pitched speaking voice is a vase different from her dynamic deep sultry voice. Leela James is gutsy, confidence and is a vocal force to be reckoned with.

Pointed Magazine had the pleasure to interview Leela James, as she was the opening act for Jazz Artist Boney James at the Hippodrome Theater.

PM: Good evening Ms. James

LJ: Good evening

PM: I had the pleasure of listening to you during sound check. Where does this tremendous powerful voice come from? You are such a petite person to have such a husky soulful voice it’s incredible.

LJ: Why thank you. You know what, I don’t know. Just God. God gave it to me and I don’t question it, that’s the only way I can explain it. I guess it doesn’t makes senses to nobody, me either, but everybody doesn’t understand everything. It’s definitely a gift from God.

PM: How long have you been singing?

LJ: I’ve been singing since I was a little girl so the earliest I can actually remember if I had to attach an age to it, would probably be around the six, seven, or eight years old time frame.
PM: Was singing something you always wanted to do or were you encouraged to do it?

LJ: No. It was just something that was more natural, something that you know that we did in my household. My family goes to church on Sunday and you know we sing and then from there it turns into other things, weather you get a solo with the choir or you do a little show here or there and people hear you singing. It was nothing that I really thought when I was young that I would probably do when I got older and I enjoyed doing it.

PM: Your audience really loves and follows your music. Do you have a new album (CD) coming out anytime soon?

LJ: Yes we are in the process of recording a second album right now so we’re looking to get that out next year.

PM: Great. Where are you originally from?

LJ: I’m from L. A.

PM: L.A. ok so you’re an L.A. girl?

LJ: Yeah

PM: Since you’re from Los Angeles, you’re surrounded by a lot of different artists. Did you find it hard to keep your unique sound distinct from other artists, as it is so unusual? Was it hard for your musical style to be accepted?

LJ: No, not necessarily. I think if anything it stood out more, because in L.A. even though there are a lot of people, when I was initially really, really attempting to get discovered, there was more hippie, rock and roll type of stuff going on at the clubs. A lot of the clubs were just catering to like rock bands, and here I come with this gritty raw soul type of stuff and they must have said huh?

PM: So how do you classify yourself, what genre?

LJ: You know I really don’t try to classify it. I’m just a singer with soul, so I guess that makes me a soul artist and I just make music with soul in it, so just soul music, and Black folks soul at that.

PM: Sounds wonderful. What is something you would tell the young people that are really trying to make it in this music business? What is something you would say to inspire or encouragement them?

LJ: Just to be encouraged first and foremost and also stay focus. Have definition of self before you actually get into this business. You should also have a kind of idea of what you want to do; otherwise you can easily be defined by the business. Also prayer is always the best recipe, keeping God first.

PM: Thank you so much for your time Ms. James

LJ: No problem, Thank you for having me.