Barbra Lica said she’s excited to bring her unique blend of jazz, folk, country and pop music to Haliburton later this month in what will be her first appearance on-stage in the Highlands.
The 37-year-old singer-songwriter has travelled the continent since getting her big break in 2012 following the release of her debut album That’s What I Do. It opened at number one on iTunes Canada’s jazz chart.
Lica’s name has been synonymous with the genre ever since, but she told The Highlander in a recent interview that she’s really looking forward to playing a predominantly folk-inspired set at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion on May 31. The event is hosted by the Haliburton County Folk Society.
“I feel like for many years I’ve been trying to get the folk community to accept me – I’m someone who likes to incorporate many different sounds into my music. There’s all kinds of influences and it really does straddle that line in a Madeleine Peyroux or Norah Jones kind of way,” Lica said.
While she’s drawn inspiration from the likes of Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and Betty Hutton, Lica said she’s been fine tuning her sound pretty much from birth. Her parents were both professional musicians, so her house was never quiet for long during her formative years.
She’s always been a bit of an old soul when it comes to music – while growing up she preferred slower jazz-like melodies to the pop and rock songs of the day.
Lica has released eight studio albums, with 2016’s I’m Still Learning earning her a Juno Award nomination for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2017. Her most recent release, Imposter Syndrome, scored her nominations for Single of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
In addition to writing for herself, Lica has also penned pieces for jazz crooner Matt Dusk, J-Pop singer Harumi, and Taiwanese popstar Morrison Ma. She is also the co-founder and lead vocalist for the Toronto Chamber-Pop Orchestra.
She’ll be backed up in Haliburton by her band of 10-plus years – Tom Fleming on guitar, Will Fisher on drums, Mark Godfrey on bass, and Joel Visentin on keyboard. Lica said the show will be more than a traditional concert.
“The core of the show is all about storytelling. Some people like to let their songs speak for themselves, but I like to flip things and speak for the songs a little,” Lica said. “There will be a very friendly, familial vibe on stage. We’ll be sharing love stories, stories about loss and heartbreak, and stories about life in general.
“That’s the thing we enjoy most – telling and playing our own stories,” she added.
After completing a three-week tour of Oregon and California last month and a big set at Koerner Hall in Toronto for Jazz Day April 30, Lica said the Haliburton show will be her final live performance for several months. She’s taking a break to complete two new albums – one a Jazz collaboration with Ben Whiteley and the other a chamber orchestra.
Between those and caring for her threeyear-old son, she expects it will be “the busiest, quietest summer I’ve ever had.” For tickets, visit haliburtonfolk.com. Youth aged 18 and under can attend for free.
