Leslie Tift and Tom Scott
Tom Scott and Leslie Tift are an acoustic duo. They have both brought many years of experience to develop songs that exemplify their styles and create a sound that is uniquely their own. Their music touches many generations. From the 1800’s to present day their songs reflect the sounds that will touch a variety of interest groups. They play a combination of blues, country blues, modern folk, jazz, swing and originals.
Tom has a gift for song writing that can fit any genre of music and permeates to the heart of “Americana” music. He has a history of playing guitar, mandolin and bass in numerous bands since his teenage years. Several of his musical highlights include meeting and playing on stage with Elizabeth Cotten, working for a small community arts council where he did sound engineering for many great performers like Greg Brown, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Ani DeFranco. Tom has said, “I want to play and hear something that doesn’t sound like everyone else.”
Leslie has been playing music since she was 6 years old. She has played a variety of instruments but it was singing with the guitar that captured her interest. Her music ventures are varied from studying music in her undergraduate work to performing in college musicals, choirs, singing recitals, concert string bands and playing in acoustic bands in the north western states. Her musical highlights are jam sessions and house concerts in her living room and having the opportunity to play and perform with professional musicians both at home and abroad.
Their newly released 2010 CD “Up On Cedar Ridge” was locally arranged and produced in Siskiyou County. Nearly 2 years in the making, “Up On Cedar Ridge” features a group of locally talented back-up musicians on pedal steel, mandolin, percussion, banjo, fiddle, bass, clarinet and cello. One of the featured musicians, Tristan Clarridge, is the youngest person ever to win the Grand National Fiddle Championships, 3 years in a row. Described as “The rural sound of Northern California”, this CD includes a variety of “Americana” style music with seven originals, two covers and one Public Domain tune. A CD press release from the Mt Shasta Herald by Paul Boerger states, “Describing their style as “Americana”, Tift and Scott put out songs that range from modern folk to smart country swing to traditional tunes with a contemporary sound. Tift’s voice has a broad sweet range and Scott is a fine acoustic guitarist. On duets, they are a perfect match. Tift and Scott defy any single category but whatever it is, it’s really good. Think Prairie Home Companion at its very best”.
Additional information, song samples and how to reach Tom and Leslie can be found at www.tomandlesliemusic.com or e-mail them at info@tomandlesliemusic.com
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