Artist description Born in Cargill Creek, Andros Island, Bahamas, Leona grew up in Nassau, the capital. Musicwas an everyday part of life for Leona and her brothers and sisters. T and another brother, Kirk, collaborate on the music for Leona’s recordings.T performs and arranges, and Kirk writes and per-forms. Leona sings the old time gospel she heard as a child, but suffused with beautiful, uplifting Caribbeanrythyms and instruments. Several of the songs on her CDs are originals written by her brother KirkCoakley, a performer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California.

Music Style Gospel

Musical Influences Old Time Gospel, Caribbean Rythymns

Similar Artists Mahalia Jackson

Artist History Leona has been performing pop, jazz, and gospel since she was a child in the Bahamas. Her CD's receive frequent radio play in the Bahamas, and have been featured on radio in Seattle, Miami, and Toronto. She regularly peforms at churches, benefitconcerts, and festivals in the Pacific Northwest.

Group Members Leona sings lead with a variety of backup singers.Her music is arranged and performed by her brothersT Coakley and Kirk Coakley, of the award winninggroup T Connection. Leona is accompanied on several of the vocals on her CDs by her daughter BrettinaRobinson, a jazz singer in her own right.Leona's piano accompanist on some numbers, and whenshe performs live, is Gary Fukushima, a well knownjazz pianist and member of the faculty at Pacific Lutheran University.

Albums On Faith Alone;In HIs Hands;The Visit At Christmas

Location SEATTLE, WA - USA

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