TO LEONARD WITH LOVE
Los Angeles, CA Leonard Cohen passed away recently, leaving a incredible legacy of music and poetry that conveys a unique expression of love, sensuality, religion, and the complex social interactions between mankind and womankind.
“To Leonard With Love” is a tribute concert to Cohen’s music and poetry presented by internationally-acclaimed musical artists Smitty and Julija. Since their 2012 release of To Leonard With Love (Seven Songs from Leonard Cohen), award-winning singer/songwriters Julija Zonic and Smitty West have performed their interpretations of Cohen’s music to sold-out concert venues in the US and Europe.
Julija Zonic (she responds with a smile to “Julia” or her native “Yooleeya”) is a Croatian-born singer, songwriter living in Ojai since 2008. A professional entertainer since childhood, her rich, sweet vocals and dynamic range cut across all song styles. Julija was a well known young television and stage singer in the pre-war former Yugoslavia, before emigrating to the US in 1999. Her songwriting reflects the complexity and intimacy of relationships, and is influenced by her Eastern European roots.
Smitty West — Pianist, vocalist, songwriter, 2009 MAVRIC award winner for song of the year, comedy – Triple-nominated for song of the year, acoustic, foreign language, and comedy. His dry, humorist writing style punctuates the mellow, dark sound of the Smitty and Julija song-poetry sound. He’s the principal pianist for the Ventura Jazz Orchestra, and the founder of Ojai Songwriters Anonymous, an Ojai Valley artist group dedicated to the support of local music.
Their recently-released album of original songs, “Made In Ojai” follows their top-selling CD and digital album, “To Leonard With Love,“ a tribute work to the songwriter Leonard Cohen. Their singer-songwriter influences include Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Simon and Garfunkel, Edith Piaf, The Beatles.
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