About

LEIGH CARRIAGE is a consummate performer, composer, educator, author and a creative powerhouse. Leigh delivers unforgettable performances with passion and mastery. Covering obscure gems, intriguing originals encased by deep delicious grooves. Leigh has captured the hearts of audiences at festivals including the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival (USA), Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival, Noosa Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

Leigh's last award winning album original work entitled Weave was recorded in Melbourne with a stella line up featuring: Rhythm Section: Stephen Magnusson (guitar), Frank Di Sario (bass), Steve Russell (piano) and Danny Fischer (drums). Horns: Julien Wilson, Carl Mackey, Phil Noy, Angela Davis, Tony Buchannan and Carlo Barbaro. Strings: Lizzy Welsh, Charlotte Jacke, Natasha Conrau and Anna Webb.

Leigh recorded two more albums in Sydney at Studio 301, an original album Mandarin Skyline which drew a nomination for the 2014 Australian Bell Awards, featuring Hamish Stuart, Jonathan Zwartz, Phil Slater, Matt McMahon, Sam Keevers, Steve Russell and Matt Smith. The album was mixed and mastered by Helik Hadar in LA. A nine track jazz album Get Out Of Town was also recorded,featuring Brendan Clarke on bass, Hamish Stuart on drums, Steve on piano and Matt Smith on guitar, beautifully mixed by Jim Kelly. Mandarin Skyline was released with Vitamin Records.

Leigh is also a leading contemporary music educator, and is a Senior Lecturer at Southern Cross University since 1998. In 2009 Leigh was awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. The Citations recognise and reward the diverse contributions that individuals and teams make to the quality of student learning.

 For over a decade, Leigh coordinated a Visiting Artists mentoring program and website for Women in Contemporary Music. 

From 2007 to 2020, Leigh also coordinated the APRA Songwriters Seminars with artists such as: Hiatus Kaiyote, Taasha Coates, Vince Jones, Kerrianne Cox, Katie Noonan, Rob Hirst, Blue King Brown, Shellie Morris, Lisa Gerard, Nerida Tyson-Chew, Neil Murray, The Stiff Gins, Buoy, Jim Moginie and many more. 

Her academic interests include performance, songwriting, arranging, improvisation and recording. Leigh completed her research and compositions for her Ph.D., Doctorate in Philosophy (Composition) at Sydney Conservatorium of Music,  her thesis is entitled Breathing New Life into Old Forms: Collaborative Processes Supporting Songwriting and Improvisation  https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/20368. Leigh is also an online contributor for the international publication The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/profiles/leigh-carriage-456522