Jerry Leger | |
|---|---|
 Leger performing on Music City Roots hosted by Jim Lauderdale, Nashville, 2010. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 19, 1985 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | folk, Roots Rock, Rock and Roll, Folk rock, Americana music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Latent Recordings Warner Music Canada Fontana North Golden Rocket Proper Music Distribution Redeye Distribution |
| Website | www |
Jerry Leger is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Since 2005, he has released over 13 albums under his own name and more from various side projects. [1] In 2020, Leger self-published a book of poetry titled Just The Night Birds. Longtime supporter, Ron Sexsmith says "Jerry Leger has that spark in him that all the great songwriters have. He's the real deal." Sexsmith has also guested on a couple of Leger's albums.
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In 2013, Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies signed Leger to their label Latent Recordings. The label released his album Early Riser the following year to critical acclaim. The album received praise from publications such as PopMatters, [2] Now (newspaper) [3] and from Stuart Henderson in Exclaim! Commenting on Timmins' working with Leger, Henderson ended his review stating, "this is the man who, back in 1992, helped introduce a pretty obscure Texas singer-songwriter named Townes Van Zandt to Canadian audiences. Timmins knows singer-songwriters, is what I'm saying. In Leger, he's found one of Canada's best." [4] Since Early Riser, Timmins has recorded, mixed and produced many of Leger's releases.
Leger's fifth album for Latent Recordings, Donlands (2023), produced by Mark Howard (producer) received critical acclaim, including an 8/10 rating in UK's Uncut Magazine [5] and a 4/5 review in Rolling Stone Germany. [6]
Leger has toured extensively across Canada, the United States, Europe and the UK, performing both as a headliner and opening act for artists such as Steve Earle, Ron Sexsmith, The Sadies, Jesse Winchester, Tift Merritt, Justin Townes Earle, Jim Cuddy, Trampled By Turtles, Dawes, Doug Paisley, among others.
Leger frequently works with his backing band, The Situation, which includes longtime members Kyle Sullivan on drums (since 2004) and Dan Mock on bass (since 2007). [7]
In the March 2018 European edition of Rolling Stone magazine, Maik Brüggemeyer called Leger "One of the best Canadian songwriters." [8]
