Leta Harris Neustaedter will be presenting An Evening of Soul at the Sapphire Room this coming Saturday. Leta brings her powerful, soulful voice to songs by Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Sade, Al Green, Alicia Keyes and many other artists. Joining Leta for both shows Saturday night will be some Special Guests; some of the best musicians in Boise including Debbie Sager, Rob Hill, Natalie Soma and Meghan Watters.
Leta Harris Neustaedter brings to the stage not just her skills as a singer, but a talented musician and actor. She hosts a show on Radio Boise, The Lovely Afro, celebrating and elevating the melanated through conversations and music. She also is an arts and music educator; a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose clinic Metamorphosis Performing Arts Studios, LLC, gives her the opportunity not just to maintain a counseling practice but to also weave life skills into music, acting and public speaking lessons. A community organizer and recipient of many grants, Leta certainly brings her skills together to help her community.
Leta’s performances have wowed audiences in the Treasure Valley before. A past performance at one of the Sapphire Room’s popular Soul Sunday Brunches garnered Leta Harris Neustaedter not only applause but a sustained standing ovation. She is a true performer and knows how to use her music to really move the audience. The Boise Beat asked Leta a few questions, in order to get to know this dynamic, soulful performer.
Q: You sing opera, classical and other styles. Do they affect your renditions of your soul repertoire?
Leta: I think my classical training probably impacts my technique more than my style. When I’m singing soul I am fully in the soul vibe, but my intonation, vowels, breathing etc are all shaped by my classical training. I try to keep those styles pretty separate so I can fully honor whichever style I’m singing in that moment.
Q: Who are the artists who influenced your singing the most?
Leta: It’s not really a direct line because any music that inspired me to sing had a part in shaping my voice, even if it wasn’t a style/artist I particularly gravitated toward. But some influences are Sade, Roberta Flack, Tori Amos, YAZ, Berlin, Mariah Carey and Alannis Morissette, a lot of those are from the 90s when I was really getting to know the parameters of my voice.
Leta Harris Neustaedter is passionate about her music and her performance. These are truly shows not to be missed, as she presents the best in a very Soulful evening.Â
The Sapphire Room at the Riverside Hotel features a full bar plus an excellent dinner menu of both small plates, entrees and desserts. They have a tradition of presenting the best in live local and national acts onstage in Boise. There are two shows available this coming Saturday, March 13, at 6:30 and 9pm. Tickets are available for the early show here (very limited seating left) and the late show here.Â
The Sapphire Room has been very proactive in taking COVID-19 safety precautions. All info can be found on their website.
An Evening of Soul with Leta Harris Neustaedter and Special Guests
Saturday, March 13, 2021
6:30pm show Tickets (doors open at 5:30pm)
9pm show Tickets (doors open at 8:30pm)
Tickets $20-25
Sapphire Room
The Riverside Hotel
2900 W. Chinden Blvd.
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 343-1871
Leta Harris Neustaedter Facebook Page
