Rising Stars: Meet Leoni Jane Kennedy of London

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leoni Jane Kennedy.

Hi Leoni Jane, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Leoni Jane Kennedy is a multi award winning singer songwriter, often described as ‘haunting’ by her audiences. With intricate guitar riffs alongside powerful, soulful vocals, Leoni is a musical polymath creating a new wave of rock with progressive influence in her rhythmic and melodic structures, offering lyrics that surpass her years. With a touch of a young Bonnie Raitt in her, Leoni is described by The New York Times as “a welcomed portal to something passionate and powerful”.

Winning her first title as the UK’s number 1 under 19’s singer songwriter award in 2014, thirteen year old Leoni performed live at the Houses of Parliament in London, which led to Yamaha sponsorship and an endorsement from Orange Amplification. Leoni would go on to win further songwriting awards and in 2018, ‘Queen’s’ Brian May and Roger Taylor chose her from hundreds of applicants to receive the ‘Freddie Mercury’ Scholarship, financing her entire university tuition for her degree in Creative Artistry. Leoni graduated with First Class Honours and then moved to North London were she is currently studying a Masters Degree in Songwriting. For the majority of her work, Leoni uses PRS Guitars, and her talents were again recognised when she was chosen as a ‘PRS Guitars Pulse Artist’ for 2023/2024, and in late 2024 she was promoted to full PRS Guitars Artist status, representing the brand as an artist in her own right.

The album ‘New World Woman’ was independently recorded and released by her in 2023 as an acoustic compilation of reinterpreted tracks, originally penned by the Canadian prog rock legends ‘Rush’. After raising a whopping £5.8K via a Kickstarter’ campaign, Leoni then had the funding to create a huge merchandise range with products such as executive bundles, stunning limited edition marbled vinyl and the original album artwork on canvas up for grabs. Completely selling out of CD’s and only 5 vinyl remaining, Leoni has toured all over the UK to promote this album which has gained worldwide praise and the hearts of many.

The first single “Different Kind of Woman” from her debut originals album “Synthetic” was released on the 31st January just after receiving the No.4 position in PROG Magazine for “Best New Artist” category. Back on tour playing guitar for The Anchoress supporting Manic Street Preachers and new to the lineup of prog rock legends Solstice, Leoni is continuing to tour and open up for some big names this year alongside releasing the rest of her originals album as singles every 6 weeks until compiling them together for a launch towards the end of the year.

Described as a ‘force of nature’, Leoni Jane Kennedy is recognised by most in the UK industry as one to watch out for.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not – problems with other people in the industry making it difficult to pursue a career which really put a stint on self confidence. My own self doubts and social media aspects affecting motivation and belief in my own talents.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Top Achievements –

Sponsored / endorsed by Yamaha and Orange amps at 14 years old
Winning the Freddie Mercury Scholarship at 18 endorsed by remaining members of the band Queen
Being given PRS Pulse Artist status, then a year later being promoted to Official PRS Guitars Artist among so many of my guitar hero’s and legends
Independently releasing Rush acoustic re-interpretations album “New World Woman” and touring Germany the UK and The Netherlands for 2 years opening up for Rush tribute band “Moving Pictures”
Touring with The Anchoress supporting The Manic Street Preachers
Touring with Solstice Prog Rock Group
Independently beginning to release a single at a time from my debut originals album “Synthetic”

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Everything we did with my grandad – he was the glue in our family

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leonijanekennedy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonijanekennedy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LJKmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWxTbcnLPFKaymMqDUp1W5w/videos