UPDATE: A special thanks to Ksenia for taking the time to read this blog post and for your kind words.
For the last few years, I have been a big fan and amazed spectator of the talents of the Russian performing group; Leonid & Friends. The group covers Chicago songs like nobody else could hope to do. They are masters and their covers of every Chicago song are spot on and incredible to listen to. The individual members of the group are all great artists individually.
One of those members is back up singer Ksenia Buzina (stage name: Ksenona), an amazing singer who speaks seven languages and has a degree in international economics. She is also a piano virtuoso. Ksenia has performed many songs in English and would surely produce a jaw-dropping experience for any of the judges on singing competition shows. She is just that good.
The problem for Ksenia is that, even though she has been featured in Russia as a performer and on TV in China, she is little known in the U.S.
In this video, she performs Brian McKnight’s great song “One Last Cry.” (video from 2015) Even with her Russian accent apparent in some words, the rendition is incredible. Over more than 3 1/2 years, the video has only been viewed just over 27,000 times, a sad number for such an undiscovered talent.
Leonid & Friends American tour has been a big success. This article from the Orange County Register talks about two founding members of the group Chicago meeting with the group. That is big.
UPDATE: Leonid & Friends is returning to the U.S. for their Autumn 2019 tour in October and November, with stops across the country planned as of this writing. The response to their first two tours was incredible.
She is absolutley Gorgeous and talented!!!
Love the Lenoid and Friends!!! Absolutley awesome!!!
someone needs to put the differences apart and recognize talent as it is, worldwide!!! She is a prime example. Beautiful and so.. talented!!!
Absolutely agree Terry
I agree with everyone. The word ‘Perfect’ is not good enough for her. I wish you the best in all things. I hope to hear more from you Ksenia.
This girl and of the all group Lenoid and Friends are fantastic.
Ksenia is a special singer and absolutly gorgeous.
She seems beuatiful inside and outside, because we can see that in her.
She is sooooo cute. There are a lot of good singers, tons of them and it’s all about exposure and quite frankly…looks. She has the full package.
You won’t get any arguments here Kelly
Très belle et elle chante merveilleusement bien. Avec Leonid & friends c’est extra.
Completely agree Roger; elle est le meilleur
Ksenia is total perfection as is the band Leonid and Friends.
So thankful I found them. They actually cause Goose bumps and bring tears to my eyes.
To write those complicated charts from listening only to the original. Is mind boggling.
I could not agree with you more. Ksenia and Leonid and Friends are super talented and it was a monumental task for Leonid to get the songs and arrangements right by ear. Their latest video is no exception. Thanks for the comment.
Wow! Gorgeous and very, very talented. I agree, she should win any American talent show. But then, I thought the same thing about Glennis Grace, from the Netherlands, who is like Whitney Houston reborn! She didn’t win America’s Got Talent, but her vocals were, and are, stunning, like this lovely lady. May Ksenona get the fame and respect she deserves!
Robert,
I agree. As for Whitney Houston, she will always be the greatest female vocalist of all time in my book.
She left this world far too soon.
Absolutely outstanding vocal performance Ksenia, you are a talent powerhouse, it’s almost unbelievable that you haven’t been discovered yet….keep on performing, your day will come!
Claude,
You are right. Eventually, she will be discovered in the U.S. and Europe also.
This young lady is deserving of every possible accolade! A stunning beauty to light the world, a voice beyond compare, class without question, keen intellectual prowess, and a gentle down-to-earth personality – what an incredible combination. Saw her in person during Leonid & Friends’ concert at the Granada Theatre in Dallas – where her talent, fashion and grace was on full display to an emotionally appreciative audience.
Chris,
I agree with every word you said.
If she was American or British she would be bigger than JLo, Lady Gaga, and all others. She’s amazing!
Marty,
Couldn’t agree more. She is an amazing talent.
It’s a mystery to me why she hasn’t been “discovered” here in America. The song video you show is a perfect example of her incredible talent. I had the pleasure to meet her at the Leonid & Friends concert on Long Island back in July. She was very gracious and happy to talk to fans, as was the entire band. She is truly hiding in plain sight in this country, so to speak. I’d think at some point some smart agent would figure this out and make her a superstar here. Of course then we L&F/Ksenia fans wouldn’t probably be able to meet her after a concert any longer. I do wish her great success.
John,
I agree and you’re right, it will be something of a two-edged sword when her talents come to the attention of a much larger/broader audience in the U.S. Glad you had the chance to meet her.
Well, it looks like Richard agrees with everyone, so all I need to do is to agree with Richard ??
Beautiful girl..good eyes indeed ..n clear voice ..love u much go go go .warm regards from jakarta indonesia….
Beautiful woman and a very beautiful voice. Can’t wait to see you live in the Washington DC area
Pete……she was just featured in Leonid and Friend’s Christmas concert….did you see it? I can tell you that she is just as beautiful on the inside as well.
Ksenia should be famous. Great voice and talent.
Since I first listened to Leonid and Friends, being a true Chicago fan I had my doubts but once I listened to them I was blown away!! I’d close my eyes and couldn’t believe this was reality!? Then there’s this vibrant woman on stage that just blew my mind!! She’s absolutely breathtaking, inside and out with a voice of an angel! I only saw them once live but intend to see them over and over again!! My love for music was just taken to a new level and I could listen to ksenia’s voice every second of every day!! I think I’m in love!! ❤️
Ralph……….could not agree more.
Ksenia is A-No. 1 … I honestly listen to her at least once every day.
I am a lover of music, and as a former journalist, my objectivity is sincere.
I’ve never been taken aback like I am with Ksenia.
At age 68, I’m not guaranteed how many more years I have, but if I never experience another artist with such superb talent, I can honestly say I’ve found the pinnacle of how a vocalist should sound, act and sound.
Ksenia is heaven sent.
In my 42-year career as a reporter/sports writer, I’ve had the pleasure to interview and analyze people considered to be the best in their profession.
Many have said that I expect perfect profession from people.
Even without never having met Ksenia, she checks all the boxes.
It’s only a matter of time before a big time talent scout projects her to heights at the top of the mountain in the United States.
On my bucket list is to meet her, have a meaningful conversation with her and offer my good graces, peace, happiness and good health to Ksenia … she is one of the good ones, inside and out, and lands firmly as a zenith … the most gorgeous, educated and talented people on the planet.
Samuel……could not agree with you more. Maybe Ksenia will read your comment. I know that she, and other members of the band, were thankfully not hurt in the attack in Moscow.