Barcelona is a unique city, where Galicians, Catalans, Roma and immigrants mutually coexist despite their differences. Similarly, La Léa seamlessly blends bossa nova, rumba Catalana, jazz and other influences to create a new experience that is greater (and groovier) than the sum of its parts. Barcelona-raised singer-songwriter Léa Touzé’s early musical journey was a ravenous study of many styles that included side trips into hip hop and rock. But the Franco-Catalan was eventually drawn to collaborate with Dominique Soulard, La Léa’s former guitarist. The resulting rumba flamenca (slower than traditional fandango or bulerias flamenco) improvisations allowed Touzé the freedom to dive deeper into writing and composing. Along with guitar and voice, La Léa expanded their duo and added more instrumentation over the years: thrumming percussion, euphonious trumpet, driving bass and flamenca dance. La Léa’s joyful live performances are epic. Touzé is a welcoming and warm entertainer and audiences can’t help but be drawn to La Léa’s rhythmic, enticing music. La Léa’s original compositions feature lyrics sung in French, Spanish and Catalan. Like Barcelona, La Léa’s charm stems from the incorporation and inclusion of so many distinct traditions, languages and cultures.

— Chantal Vitalis