LEYLA MCCALLA ANNOUNCES NORTHEAST TOUR, ETOWN TAPING AS PRE-RELEASE UK, US PLAUDITS ADD UP

"UNFORGETTABLE… TRIUMPH" (THE SUNDAY TIMES, UK) 'VARI-COLORED SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO LANGSTON HUGHES' OUT FEB 4 ON MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION

Leyla McCalla – whose solo tribute to Langston Hughes comes out February 4, three days after his birthday – will tour the northeast United States in January and February. The announcement, which includes three stops in NYC, the first during APAP, comes on the heels of incredible reviews in the UK and US and an opening slot for Mavis Staples. In February, she will tape syndicated national radio show eTown, located in Boulder, CO.

The Sunday Times called it an "unforgettable… triumph."

The UK's R2 gave it four stars, calling it "a labour of love, beautifully consummated."

UNCUT gave it an 8/10, heralding its "magic."

New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine tabbed it "ambitious, deep and gorgeous."

The Wall Street Journal premiered a track as well.

Leyla McCalla Northeast 2014 Tour Dates:

January 10 – New York, NY – City Winery
February 4 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
February 5 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
February 7 – Bayport, NY – Grey Horse Tavern
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
February 9 – Lewiston, ME - Bates College
February 11 – Brooklyn, NY – BRIC House
February 13 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
February 14 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
February 15 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine
February 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
February 19 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
February 20 – Brownfield, MA – Stone Mountain Arts Center
February 25 – Boulder, CO – eTown
July 11 – Courtenay, BC – Vancouver Island MusicFest

LEYLA MCCALLA TO SHOWCASE AT APAP ALONGSIDE DAVID WAX MUSEUM, WESLEY STACE, ARC IRIS, JOY KILLS SORROW

MCCALLA CASTS "A CHARMING, RESONANT SPELL" (THE GUARDIAN)

Leyla McCalla – Carolina Chocolate Drops member and vocalist/cellist whose solo album 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute To Langston Hughes' will be released February 4 on Music Maker Relief Foundation – has been added to an APAP showcase January 10 at City Winery with Wesley Stace hosting. She joins a bill with Stace (formerly John Wesley Harding), David Wax Museum, Arc Iris (Jocie Adams, formerly of The Low Anthem), Joy Kills Sorrow, Sam Lee, and Grace & Tony.

'Vari-Colored Songs' is a stunning solo debut consisting of original music set to Langston Hughes music; Haitian folk songs; and two originals.

More information on the show.

WHO: Leyla McCalla, on a bill with David Wax Museum, Arc Iris, Joy Kills Sorrow, and others

WHAT: Wesley Stace's APAP Showcase

WHEN: Friday, January 10, 2014, 6:00pm doors, 8:00pm start

WHERE: City Winery, 155 Varick St, NYC

TICKETS: $18, 20, 25 at City Winery box office and CityWinery.com

There is already buzz in the UK, where she has played on three BBC programs and the Guardian made her subject of a profile and a four-star review, saying that the album casts "a charming, resonant spell." Last month, she opened for Mavis Staples. Clive Davis of the Times (UK) called 'Vari-Colored Songs' a "triumph… unforgettable." Meanwhile, Songlines Magazine named 'Vari-Colored Songs' one of its top ten new albums, calling it "exquisite," continuing, "Anyone who's seen the Carolina Chocolate Drops will have been warmed by this young woman's artistry… this exploration of the city's under-explored Caribbean currents is most welcome; the Big Easy is, after all, as close – both geographically and culturally – to Port-au-Prince as it is to New York City."