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Local Spotlight – Jade Lester

Listen weekday afternoons at 3:40 all this week as Jay and Chris profile Jade Lester on the Local Spotlight!
There comes a time in every talented artist’s life when a larger stage beckons.

Yet, despite the fact Chatham, Ontario’s Jade Lester was recently crowned Overall Grand Champion at the prestigious Canadian Youth Talent Competition, the 19-year-old singer and songwriter hasn’t forgotten her roots. It’s why the area is buzzing after the release of her debut CD “Love’s Funny That Way” this past spring with the more than memorable performance that went along with it!

A CKSS graduate, Jade’s hard work has paid off with this debut country/pop album. Produced by Will Haas at Willyboy recording studio in London, the CD is available for $15 at The Coffee Culture in downtown Chatham..

Already an accomplished vocalist in a myriad of genres, a multiple award winner, talented stage actress, dancer and veteran performer with 11 years experience, Jade Lester still possesses an insatiable appetite to hone her skills – and to thrill audiences from coast to coast. When Jade burst upon the Canadian Country music scene at the tender age of 6, she immediately won the hearts of fans from Vancouver to St. John’s.
It’s no surprise she is the reigning Canadian Youth Talent Competition Grand Champion and Vocal Soloist champ, crowned in Saskatoon. After capturing the 2008 Ontario Youth Talent Competition at the talent-laden Western Fair competition, Jade welcomed the challenge of representing her province on a national stage. In the performance of a lifetime, Jade wowed the judges and the audience with her professional vocals and stage presence. Just listen to what the judges had to say about this promising artist:
“Awesome performance! Show stopping performance! Powerhouse sound. Jade attacks her songs vocally and physically. Great showmanship – a natural!”

Despite the accolades, Jade Lester remains grounded, and dedicated to her many crafts. Perhaps best known as a Country/Pop singer/songwriter, Jade is ecstatic to be making her début performance as a headline act at, Jade Lester In Concert, April 4, 2009 at 8 p.m., Chatham Cultural Centre. It’s a show audiences are already anticipating. Jade Lester In Concert is part of the Kiwanis Theatre Home Grown Talent Series 2008/2009. A high-energy production showcasing Jade’s Pop/Country/Rock sound will feature original tunes, backed by the amazing O’Hara Brothers.

“I feel privileged to give back to my hometown audience, who has been so supportive of my musical aspirations and dreams,” says Jade, who aspires to study musical theatre in university, and to continue in her journey to one day wow a world-wide audience through performing arts.

Rest assured, Jade Lester’s dream will come true, and it’s no pipe dream. In fact, since age 6, Jade has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the hardest working performers in Ontario. In fact, it is amazing how Jade continues to balance such a busy schedule, which includes an active life as a high school student, vocal, dance and theatre lessons and performances, and numerous philanthropic efforts which benefit her community.

And on top of all of these intertwining activities, Jade will soon release her début Country/Pop CD, currently being produced with the internationally-acclaimed Kevin Doyle, a three-time Juno Award winner and Grammy Award nominee as Recording Engineer of the Year.
Kevin Doyle has worked with the likes of Alannah Myles, Hall and Oates, Michelle Wright, Anne Murray, John McDermott, and Amy Sky – just to name a few. Now based in nearby London, Ontario, Doyle has lent his unmatched expertise while producing Jade’s new CD, released next Saturday at Chatham’s Kiwanis Theatre.

What can we expect from Jade’s recorded music? Consider her favourite artists and main musical influences: Martina McBride; Carrie Underwood; and LeAnn Rimes. Says Jade, “I just love singing. It’s a great gift, and I’m very grateful to be able to use my talent to entertain. Performing is my greatest love. I hope to be able to show my gift to the world someday.”

Jade has the honesty and innocence of a country girl, yet she displays all of the sophistication on stage one would expect from a polished artist with decades of experience. In fact, it is the pleasure of the journey – not the end result of fame – which drives Jade to succeed. Now a young woman, Jade Lester’s past accomplishments include a role in a U.S. television commercial for Kelly Services; and a feature performance in Canadian artist Oh Susanna’s music video, River Blue, showing on CMT.

Yearly Kiwanis Music Festival vocal scholarships since 1998 have rewarded Jade for her hard work. During the past two years, she has captured first prize at showcases including: The Cambridge Fair Rising Star; New Artisans Vocal Competition, Windsor; Wish Upon A Song, Lima Ohio; Gratiot Idol (Detroit) Teen Division and Kalamazoo Fair Talent Search, Adult – among many others!

Jade Lester is also a talented actress. In February 2009, she played the lead role of Millie in the Chatham-Kent Secondary School production of, Thoroughly Modern Millie – The Musical. Past performances include: Rebecca in the Broadway musical, Rags, and Carmen in the musical, Fame, also presented by the well-respected theatre arts group at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.

“An important part of life is spreading your wings. I want to be able to express myself through a number of artistic genres. It’s who I am, what I do, and where I’m going,” explains Jade.

Audiences are enjoying Jade’s journey, too. Jade Lester wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bio written by: Jeremy Reed Reporting, A Leading Canadian Communicatons Professional
For Promotional Material & Management:
Ms. Rose Lester
519-351-6076
[email protected]
http://www.JadeLester.com
htttp://www.myspace.com/jadelester/
To get your music on the Local Spotlight, contact Jay NOW! E-mail [email protected] for info!