Sydney Needham, band perform Sunday
A month after she was carolling on Victoria’s streets, Sydney Needham is headlining a one-night gig at Hermann’s Jazz Club.
Oh, and she won Victoria Idol, too.
The 21-year-old Victoria-raised singer beat out 11 contestants in the finale of the annual contest and fundraiser Thursday at the Royal Theatre.
“The song that sold it for the judges and caught the eye of record producer Mark Mazzetti was her first song, sung to a track of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind,” organizer Elaine Baglo said of Needham’s performance.
Needham’s second song, the Doobie Brothers’ “China Grove,” was performed with back-up band Sugarfix.
She won a songwriting session with Wynn Gogol of 1 Ton Studio; recording, photograph and CD cover design sessions, plus stage, marketing and image coaching.
Rounding out the top three were first runner-up Kaya Hunter of Salt Spring Island and two-time finalist Megan Johns of Victoria.
Needham is a voice student at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo and is perhaps best known for singing the national anthem at Shamrocks and Grizzlies games. She also sings in downtown Victoria Christmas carol events.
She will front the four-piece Needham Wigmore Band this Sunday (Jan. 23) at 8 p.m. at Hermann’s.
Tickets are $10 for the 8 p.m. show. The club is at 753 View St. Call 250-388-9166 for more information.
vmoreau@oakbaynews.com