Leslie vanWinkle
Musical Messenger and Story Singer
A Voice of Vision, Hope, Courage and Compassion
When Leslie takes the stage, expect to hear poetical street-wise lyrics that explore themes of human courage, spiritual enlightenment, timeless love, and just plain doing whatever it takes.
Her sound is pure Americana - an eclectic blend of retro-folk rock, Celtic mysticism, ribald country, soothing
reggae, and homegrown sass. Her clear, expressive, soulful voice has been described as spellbinding.
A multi-instrumentalist, Leslie plays guitar and occasionally salts her show with fiddle and mandolin tunes. Her easy stage manner quickly engages audiences and fans describe her live shows as “captivating, fun and uplifting” – they often leave humming one of her tunes.
Leslie began her music career as a Rock 'n' Roll singer in 1972. Her passion for creativity has evolved through three original music CDs, as well as careers in radio, television, film making, advertising, and media production of all types. One of her favorite projects was producing and hosting the original "unplugged" cable series “Northwest Tunesmith” that featured Northwest musicians.
Leslie is active in Folk Alliance International as Publicist for FAR-West Regional Conference.
Musical Messenger and Story Singer
A Voice of Vision, Hope, Courage and Compassion
When Leslie takes the stage, expect to hear poetical street-wise lyrics that explore themes of human courage, spiritual enlightenment, timeless love, and just plain doing whatever it takes.
Her sound is pure Americana - an eclectic blend of retro-folk rock, Celtic mysticism, ribald country, soothing
reggae, and homegrown sass. Her clear, expressive, soulful voice has been described as spellbinding.
A multi-instrumentalist, Leslie plays guitar and occasionally salts her show with fiddle and mandolin tunes. Her easy stage manner quickly engages audiences and fans describe her live shows as “captivating, fun and uplifting” – they often leave humming one of her tunes.
Leslie began her music career as a Rock 'n' Roll singer in 1972. Her passion for creativity has evolved through three original music CDs, as well as careers in radio, television, film making, advertising, and media production of all types. One of her favorite projects was producing and hosting the original "unplugged" cable series “Northwest Tunesmith” that featured Northwest musicians.
Leslie is active in Folk Alliance International as Publicist for FAR-West Regional Conference.
Awards & Kudos
- 2017 Tumbleweed Songwriting Contest Finalist "A Place Called Harmony"
- 2014 Song of the Year Contest Runner Up for "It's a Mystery"
- 2013 Tumbleweed Songwriting Contest Finalist “Bridge Across Forever”
- 2013 NWME World Music Finalist Somewhere Under the Sun" and "We Are the Critical Mass”
- 2012 Song of the Year Runner Up for “We Are the Critical Mass”
- http://songwriters.songoftheyear.com/songwriting-contest/leslievanwinkle.html
- 1999 Lake Folk Fest Songwriting Contest Finalist
- 1999 Victory Music CD Featured Artist “About Loving You”
What People Say...
"Very good job. I had no idea you were this good! So nice, really. Well produced and great songs!" - Alice Stuart
"Her music has an ethereal retro 1960s folk sound and her voice sounds like a cross between the early Grace Slick and Loreena McKennit." -Marty Reimer, Mountain Radio FM
"Kind of a retro-rock, folk and something else. A talent that's well worth watching." - Victory Music Review
"The first time I heard her at the Victory Open Mic, I new I wanted her on my radio show." -Marianne Bundren, KBCS 91.3 FM
"Her music has an ethereal retro 1960s folk sound and her voice sounds like a cross between the early Grace Slick and Loreena McKennit." -Marty Reimer, Mountain Radio FM
"Kind of a retro-rock, folk and something else. A talent that's well worth watching." - Victory Music Review
"The first time I heard her at the Victory Open Mic, I new I wanted her on my radio show." -Marianne Bundren, KBCS 91.3 FM