Special Events - 2nd Wednesdays

Lela Caro & Rado

Vocals drenched in soul, vibrant emotion, and heart-felt immediacy
Guitars slide in and out of sonic story

Lela and Rado are a unique brand of Acoustic Soul. The two bring aspects from opposites sides of the spectrum to their musical endeavor: Lela, with her deep southern roots and history in the Southern Baptist Church; and Rado, with his New York/Philly take on modern soul and funk. Both bring to bear a deep love and respect for the genre; their inspired and entertaining performances, and ever-growing fan base, attest to it.

Lela Caro- Vocals

Originally from Georgia, Lesley Grant, a.k.a. Lela Caro, has been singing professionally for the last eleven years in the Bay Area. She grew up singing in church and was raised on contemporary gospel music. Singing at church functions with her family from age 6, her voice developed amongst a community of spirit-filled singers. She learned how the power of harmony and strength of a melody can charm a listener. Her influences are embedded in soul music and distinctive lyricists.

Lela moved out west after college in Atlanta and became the lead vocalist for an R&B/Soul band called London Street from San Francisco. During those eleven years she has been a sought-after session singer, recording and performing with several Bay Area artists, including London Street, and now with her Malagasy brother, Rado.

Rado – Guitars/Vocals

Hailing from Madagascar, by way of New York City, Rado is a seasoned guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Shaped by his Malagasy roots and the sounds and colors of NYC, Rado’s unique take on soul, funk, and jazz has found a home in the Bay Area.

While growing up and playing on the East Coast, Rado opened for artists such as John Mayer, Beastie Boys, Fountains of Wayne, and Ari Hest, among other major label artists. When not touring, he stayed in New York and Philly, experimenting with original blends of soul, funk, and jazz, and writing and performing with Waller Wee (great-grandson of Fats Waller), and Monique Mosee (2002 Billboard’s R&B Top 100).

Since moving to the Bay Area in 2007, Rado has kept busy playing for several artists, including Black Nature of the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars, and SF Music Award winning afrobeat band, Albino!, as well as with SF-based African funk/roots reggae troupe Wontanara.

Rado is excited to be working with an incredible talent like Lela and is happy to be debuting their singular brand of acoustic soul at Bliss Bar.