George Leach Band (BC)
The energy level of a George Leach show can be described as “high,” to put it mildly. As the first notes issue forth from Leach’s double-neck Gibson, the air in the room changes. The audience falls silent. Bodies begin to move in time to the rhythms – swaying to the ballads, grinding to the funky blues workouts, hips shaking to the rockers. Whether leading the charge of his crack band of musical ninjas or appearing solo, accompanying himself on one of his arsenal of electric and acoustic guitars, Leach disappears into the moment. Here, he loses himself, finding his purest form of expression. Free to explore the nuances of the songs, chasing the promise of fleeting transcendence that music offers and taking us all with him, Leach in concert is an experience you don’t wanna miss.
Leach is a Stl’atl’imx from Lillooet, British Columbia. His music evokes the home territory of the Stl’atl’imx – massive riffs like the ranges of the interior, cascades of blue notes glistening in the air like the falling spring water of a mountain stream, the vocal melodies soaring over top like an eagle in flight, all in his unmistakable voice.
As an actor, Leach has appeared on This is Wonderland, North of 60, PSI Factor and La Femme Nikita. He also appeared in the six-part miniseries Into the West as Loved by the Buffalo. He released his first album, Just Where I’m At, in 2000. He subsequently performed at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, now the Indspire Awards. He won the Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year in 2014 for his album, Surrender.