Ginger Leigh is an American musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, actress and interior designer known for her dynamic performances and soulful voice. She has been a prominent figure in the Austin music scene for over two decades, and her music is influenced by pop, rock, country and jazz. Ginger is also an interview host and an event producer and host.
Early Life and Education:
Ginger Leigh was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she developed a passion for music at a young age. She is the daughter of Jill Cones of The Cones Sisters; produced by Barry Beckett for RCA in the late 80’s. She is also the granddaughter of Glenn Gray Orchestra singer Jane Cones. She started performing in her first band when she was 9 years old. “The Gospel Gang” included her brother, Mark, on bass and her cousin and Nashville producer and musician, Mickey Jack Cones, on lead guitar and sharing lead vocals and harmonies. Ginger began performing in local coffeehouses, private events, in contests and clubs during her teenage years. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a degree in Sociology with minors in History and Italian.
Career:
During college, Ginger Leigh lived in Milan and Rome, Italy from which many of her early songs were derived. She returned to Austin in the mid-1990s and quickly became a fixture in the local music scene. She released her debut album, "GingerLady," in 1997, which received critical acclaim and helped to establish her as a rising star in the music industry. Ginger speaks English and Italian and has a working knowledge of Spanish, French and German.
Ginger Leigh wrote, recorded and toured globally with artist, Sarah Dashew, in The Ginger & Sarah Band, which renamed as Vera Takes the Cake just before the band split in 2002. The Ginger & Sarah Band was distributed by Sony Italia in Europe.
Over the years, Ginger Leigh has released ten albums and performed at countless venues and festivals throughout the United States and abroad. She has shared the stage with many notable musicians, including Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Michelle Shocked, Ray Benson, Patrice Pike, Robert Earl Keen, W.C. Clark, Guy Forsyth, Ruthie Foster, Susan Gibson, Trish Murphy and many more.
Ginger Leigh has performed many festivals and events including the South Padre International Music Festival, Italy's Folkest Festival, Austin's Republic of Texas Biker Rally, Oprah Winfrey's launch of OWN in New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and many more.
In 2004, then Mayor Wynn of Austin proclaimed May 27th "Ginger Leigh Day."
In 2019 Ginger Leigh along with music director, Issac Peña, founded 9-piece jazz variety band "Straight Up with a Ginger Twist."
Ginger Leigh hosts “On the Rogue” a video interview series under the banner of TV show Songwriters Across Texas and has interviewed the likes of Lyle Lovett, Ray Benson, Radney Foster, Gary P. Nunn, W.C. Clark, Taylor Hanson, Zella Day and many others.
In addition to her music career, Ginger Leigh is also an accomplished actress, most notably as Maureen in RENT at Zach Theatre. She has also been involved in several philanthropic endeavors, including Love. at the Stateside at the State Theatre at the Paramount and the Austin Cares Concert by Concerts 4 Austin Charities at ACL Live at the Moody, all which raise money for Austin's Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Superhero Kids at Dell Children’s Hospital and Patrice Pike’s Step Onward Foundation.
Ginger was the co-founder of the celebrity-studded BLU Party celebrating Formula One race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas.
Ginger Leigh is also an interior designer alongside Jane Reece of Jane Reece Interiors in Austin. Her father was a designer and a home builder. Her great-uncle, Norman Foster, was a world-renowned fine artist and interior designer.
Discography:
- GingerLady (1997)
- Do What You Will (1999)
- Vera Takes the Cake (2000)
- Charge Laughing (2002)
- Vivo (2004)
- Sugar in my Coffee (2005)
- Don’t Be Shy (2008)
- Better Than Well - Live at the Saxon Pub (2009)
- Amazing (2013)
- Hey Funky You (2018)
Personal Life:
Ginger Leigh currently resides in Austin, Texas, where she continues to perform and create music, host events, hosts interviews and co-mingles her creative-preneur life.
Legacy:
Ginger Leigh is considered one of the most talented and respected musicians in the Austin music scene. Her unique blend of pop, rock, country and jazz has earned her a devoted fan base and critical acclaim. She has inspired many aspiring musicians and has helped to shape the sound of Austin's music scene.