She's got legs

Alanna Stuart came to Ottawa from Toronto, made her mark as a local soul singer opening for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings with Maya Ethier among other gigs. She's heading back to Toronto to make her fortune in the music business either in the near future or the immediate past. She's also collaborated with Peter Elkas. She was wearing a striking yellow outfit (and striking matching afro) for her Bluesfest appearance. No doubt it inspired the Main Stage's female presenter to remark that she had the best legs at the festival ("I guess they are pretty nice," Alanna responded, somewhat demurely).

Alanna - at right is Ben Mullin, who I last saw in Vanity Press - his current musical project is called Alarmist.



Several members of Alanna's band also feature in the Souljazz Orchestra; that's Steve Patterson and Phil Lafreniere from the orchestra behind Alanna. (Unfortunately I couldn't manouevre into a suitable spot to get a shot of bassist Dave Shroeder or drummer Russell Crawford)



Orchestra Rhodes scholar Pierre Chretien.



Heather Piche and Nantali Indongo sing backup.



Watch out, Toronto!



She started work on an EP in May, so it can't be long until we hear more from her.

• Show reminder: Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, Holy Fuck play at Barrymore's Music Hall; The Love Machine, Smaller on You and The Good Ideas play Mavericks; Fuck The Facts and Intronaut perform at End Hits.