Gina Leishman

Gina Leishman is a composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and performer, British born but resident in the US since seemingly forever. Having fled the goldfish bowl of Old Europe. She composes for theater, opera, dace, film, television, and concert stage, and has received numerous awards. Collaborations with other artists include theater directors Karin Coonrod, Robert Woodruff, Lisa Peterson, and Joe Chaikin; writers Ellen McLaughlin, Tony Kushner, and Naomi Wallace; choreographers David Gordon, Bebe Miller, and Deborah Slater; composer Doug Wieselman; and performance artists Rinde Eckert and John Kelly. Her ensembles include the long-standing septet Kamikaze Ground Crew, a vehicle for original composition; the Mr. Wau-Wa band, dedicated to the songs of Bertolt Brecht; and various quartets in support of her solo work. Recordings are available on Koch Jazz, New World Records, Busmeat and GCQ Records. She is currently working on a chamber opera, Bird Of The Inner Eye, based on the life and letters of painter Morris Graves. She lives in New York City.