“Music has always been part of everything in society.  It has the ability to make you sad or happy. It can transport you back to a wonderful or terrible memory. It’s a tool for communication, cultural Identity and social cohesion. It’s a catalyst for social change, a medium for emotional expression.”

Cheryl Lescom: The Joy of Blues & Soul

Legendary blues belter Cheryl Lescom began her career in 1975 fronting several of her own bands before becoming a back up singer for Ronnie Hawkins and touring with Long John Baldry. Cheryl also sang on many national jingles in the 1980's. She has toured and performed with some of Canada's elite rock and blues artists, including Jeff Healey, Matt Minglewood, Dutch Mason, the Downchild Blues Band, Jack de Keyzer, Mel Brown, Paul James, Women’s Blues Revue and toured with the Detroit Women. Each August, Lescom is the MC on the main stage at the Kitchener Blues Festival. A multi-award winner, she has received The Advertising Music Producers Best Female Vocal Performance, The Kitchener Blues Festival Mel Brown Award, Kitchener Waterloo Arts Award for Music and nominations for The Maple Blues award. As the late, great Long John Baldry once said, "Cheryl Lescom has one of the best and biggest voices in Canada. I've had many great singers with me over the years and Cheryl is by far one of my favourites!"

(Photo: Cheryl Lescom)

Her soulful, road weary, yet sweet and sophisticated vocals perfectly and convincingly deliver the emotion, rawness and double-entendre that blues and soul music fans enjoy. To date, Cheryl has released seven albums, with four being mostly original music she writes with the Tucson Choir Boys. Lescom has just released her final recording with the Tucson Choir Boys, aptly titled Last Call (2025). The ten songs on Last Call are written from some understanding of life’s changes and unfortunately, endings. When you’re young it’s about tomorrows and hellos. When you’re older it’s about yesterdays and goodbyes.

Interview by Michael Limnios                     Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Music is the only thing that makes sense in this world these days ... my music life was changed the most the  second I heard the Motown sound in 1960. I had no brothers or sisters and I was raised by a single mother that worked a lot. I spent most of my youth with a radio.

What keeps a musician passionate over the years? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

The joy of playing music. The joy of entertaining people. The joy of writing songs. That keeps me passionate ... JOY!

The Blues is the heart and soul of most music from Rock n roll to country. The blues allows people to process hardships through storytelling, shared experiences and soulful expression transforming pain into art and reminding us that we are not alone  in our struggles. We must respect the ones that came before us and honour them by spreading and preserving the history of it.

Why do you think that Canadian Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

The blues scene in Canada has devoted followers because it’s real. Real musicians playing real instruments and singing words that people can relate to. It never gets old… whether it’s new stuff and old stuff it brings out your emotions and makes us feel connected to each other.                             (Cheryl Lescom / Photo by Ken Wallis)

“The Blues offers profound lessons about the human experience, resilience, emotional expression and community. You need to work hard, don’t undervalue your music or yourself …if you’re gonna sign a contract, get a lawyer ... take care of your body. Keep learning. Help the young ones.”

Which colourations have been the most important experiences? Are there any memories from gigs and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Zeppelin # 1 was the first album that combined the blues with Rock for me and Plants voice was the most important experience for me as a singer.

Being on the road with long John Baldry was a highlight for me. The band was top notch ...  he was such a good man a great mentor.

Writing with Ray and the Tucson choir boys has been a wonderful journey in and out of the studio.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

My biggest fear is AI ... fake people singing and playing fake instruments.

I miss when music had value. You saved up for an album, engaged in every part of that album, the art work, the liner notes the musical vision of the artist. It was a full experience. Now we have so many people that think they can get some beats from a computer and throw something together that they could never duplicate live.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The Blues offers profound lessons about the human experience, resilience, emotional expression and community. You need to work hard, don’t undervalue your music or yourself …if you’re gonna sign a contract, get a lawyer ... take care of your body. Keep learning. Help the young ones.

“Music is the only thing that makes sense in this world these days ... my music life was changed the most the  second I heard the Motown sound in 1960. I had no brothers or sisters and I was raised by a single mother that worked a lot. I spent most of my youth with a radio.” (Cheryl Lescom / Photo by Ken Wallis)

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

Women have come a long way in the business of music. Taylor Swift has had the biggest tour in history and made the most money. There are so many strong  women out there now ... they are being respected and forging their own way. It’s great to see that it’s no longer just a man’s world.

What is the impact of music socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music has always been part of everything in society.  It has the ability to make you sad or happy. It can transport you back to a wonderful or terrible memory. It’s a tool for communication, cultural Identity and social cohesion. It’s a catalyst for social change, a medium for emotional expression. From rituals to entertainment it shapes the human experience from ancient traditions to modern trends. It mirrors eras, it influences trends, it shapes history, it connects people from different generations and countries. it’s therapy, it’s recreation, it’s inspirational, it’s motivation, it’s spiritual.

I hope it continues to make our world and our time on this planet more enjoyable.

Cheryl Lescom (Busted Flat Records) - Home

(Photo: Cheryl Lescom)