BY RICHARD JOHNSON—
HER father is Willie Stewart, former drummer of reggae band Third World. Her brother, Monea, is a music producer. Now, Leea Stewart is making her way into the music industry.
The Jamaica-born, Florida-based singer’s I’ll Be Right There is featured on the soundtrack of The Heart of Summer which is currently being shown in the United States.
Directed by Adrian Allen, the film stars Jamaican actor Paul Campbell, Oraine Barrett and Tesh Beckham.
According to Stewart, I’ll Be Right There was written and recorded at a really low point in her life.
“The song was written a few years ago when I was going through a really dark period in my life. It got so low that I realized that family was not enough to get me through. It was then that I realized that there was something missing in my life and that was God,” she said. “So I began to put my thoughts and experiences into my music, hoping to inspire others who were going through the same situation of losing ground, helping them to realize that God will always be there.”Stewart does not describe her music as gospel, but soul music which presents situations that many people can relate to.
“I want to reach out to a broader perspective with my music, and bring healing to those who hear and bring them closer to God. I just want to bring change to people’s lives,” she told the Jamaica Observer from her base in Miami.
This is not her first recording. Four years ago she worked with producer DJ Blackout on the track Play That Guitar which she said was well received. Musically, she never limits herself.
“Because of my background, my music will always be touched by reggae through the bass line and drum patterns, but that does not prevent me from using different areas of other music to present a fusion of genres. I never box myself as I am a real fan of music and therefore can listen to all genres… country, rock, everything and appreciate them all.”
Stewart also attributes her wide musical appreciation to growing up in Jamaica, then moving to London and settling in Florida.
She is currently working on an EP which she says should hit the market later this year. For this project, she is drawing on the expertise of her brother as well as veteran producer Handel Tucker.
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