Leslie Vincent with a 5-piece band

Leslie Vincent plays Volstead's Emporium Uptown on Saturday, October 17, with her five-piece band. It's a jazz show that puts her songwriting and her voice front and center, and she's one of the few people in the city who does both.

Vincent is a jazz songwriter and vocalist, and that's the best way to describe what she brings to the stage. She writes her own tunes—award-winning ones, by the way—and sings them with a rich alto tone. The lyrics come from modern-day queries, and she's known for a magnetic stage presence and high-energy shows across the Midwest. Her upcoming album of original music, Little Black Book, was named by The Star Tribune as one of the Top Albums of the Year, so there's a good chance you'll hear some of that material here.

With her band, she works within the jazz, swing, and blues traditions, but she keeps the lyrics contemporary. It's a sound that stays rooted in those forms without feeling like a museum piece. Beyond the stage, she's a passionate advocate for the arts and a frequent collaborator, so she's a familiar face in the local scene.

The show runs from 8:30 to 11:30 PM. Admission is free, though reservations are recommended. Dinner and drinks are available for purchase during the show, so you can make a full evening of it.