With an unorthodox and clear voice,- multi-instrumentalist, Shelley Leong moves surprised listeners. She is now based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2005, Shelley was nominated for Best New English Artiste for the AIM (Malaysian Music Industry) awards. Her songs were awarded honorable mentions from the Billboard World Songwriting Contest in 2007.
She performs either as a soloist, duo or with her band. Her arrangements are a blend of contemporary styles of folk, pop/rock coupled with hints of jazz and ethnic. She also plays piano,guitar and frame drums. Her audience have often described her as having a strong presence with a warm, friendly vibe.
Performance venues have been wide ranging, including intimate settings like No Black Tie in Kuala Lumpur, Caffe Trieste in San Francisco, scenic open air stages like The Esplanade in Singapore, Major Music festivals like the Mont Kiara Jazz Festival and Penang Jazz Festival, and celebratory large concerts like the New Year Concert at The Mines......she is happy to share her music everywhere.
Shelley was awarded for her popular single "Resident Fool" that recently charted number two on musiccanteen.com "Top Monthly Downloads." 4 of her songs in the album have received radio airplay on major radio stations in Malaysia. Acoustic and organic, Shelley's debut album - 'Storyteller' is the latest original album to stand out from Malaysia's independent music scene.
Shelley won a scholarhip to study at the famous Berklee College of Music in 2005 and graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. Shelley produces Songwriter's Avenue, which features upcoming singer-songwriters. Her single "Forgiveness" is currently on Malaysia's English Top 10 charts (hitz tv).
With a keen interest in music education for all, Shelley also keeps herself busy with giving workshops and private lessons in voice and songwriting. She recently led a workshop for the KL SingSong Festival at the Kuala Lumpur Arts Performance Centre.
Shelley also now plays for premier world/jazz fusion band, Bogofusion (www.bogofusion.com).
For news on her latest CD release, check out, or email through: www.cdbaby.com/shelleyleong. Blog: www.shelleyleong.com
-To order CD online, go to www.cdbaby.com/shelleyleong
-Also available on itunes
Hey Shelley! Just stopping by to say hi! Hope all is well. Busy rehearsing with Karen for our gig @ Cafe Trieste in Berkeley - should be really magical - lots of Bossa and her daughters are going to sing harmony on a few tunes! Hope to see you soon - stay in touch. Love, Peace and Harmonicas xoxo Shawn
Music has always been a place where anything is possible - a refuge, a magical world where anyone can go, all kinds of people can come together, and anything can happen. We are limited only by our imagination. I believe that what we do and learn inside the world of music can affect what goes on in the world in a big, positive way. music is so important - like food and water. There are so many possibilities, and many doors yet to opened. (Bill Frisell)
Hey Shell! Thanks for inviting me to play today - that was fun! It was so good to see you and Az again - and I'm so happy you two are back here where you belong! Looking forward to more music and fun in 08! You two made my day! Let's do some buskin' this Summer for sure! Love, Peace and Harmonicas! Shawn
hey shell = so lovely to hear your voice last week! hope you both having a great time back "home" and catching up with old friends, family, and chilling! its's starting to chilling here too..."negative" 6 as the locals say...and light dusting of snow...keep in touch my friend, you're a special one...happy thursday! x x
Hi Shelley, It was a very nice treat hearing you and Az and Sean play today at the Rooz. You have a very lovely voice and playing style and I really enjoy Hearing you play every chance I get. Have a wonderful holiday in Malaysia.
Hi Shelley! Hope everything is going well with you and Az. Looking forward to gig on the 25th! Got some new Tremelos in A and G! Finally got my Artist page up - few recordings and more to be mixed - come by and say Hi! www.myspace.com/shawndanielshaffer Thanks again for allowing me to play on your beautiful songs! I learn something everytime. Hugs and Love to you! Shawn
Hey Shelley! Thanks for letting me sit-in with you and Az for the last few gigs - it's been fun! Hopefully there's more to come - take care Peace and Harmonicas! Shawn
It's a fiend - I tried recording it recently for my next album but couldn't get the intonation so stay in on string 6 so there will be another attempt, perhaps with a different 'dampener'! I think the version on MySpace is perhaps too fast...
Will be in NY next year, I'll catch up with you and Az then!
I'd like to invite you to check out the music vid clip on my space, my song 'Joy Unto My Soul' performed by my Myspace friend Jason Stephenson, as aired on Australian television about a fortnight ago. I hope you enjoy it! ;)
Hey Shell! Thanks SO much for such a great eve last week - and SUCH extra-yummy food...as I said to Az, we must eat more often! If you free, 11pm Friday, come to COPAL cd release party at AXIS downstairs...tell Az to put his dancing trousers on...shall we book a day next week to go duck-hunting in Chinatown? I feel a crispy skin urge coming on! lotza love x
Shelley, darling! Great to hear from you. You say the sweetest things always. Would be an honour to work on your album. I am humbled :) Yes, I too am looking forward to seeing you back here... :)
Take care and just remain being yourself...
Hugs!