Sherri Harding Steps Into the Spotlight: Ottawa Soul Singer Unveils New Album ‘Storyland’ at the NAC

Ottawa’s music scene has long been shaped by artists who straddle multiple worlds, but few embody that duality as fully as Sherri Harding. Known to many as a member of The Cooper Brothers, Harding has spent decades carving out her own identity as a powerhouse soul singer with a voice that can shift from velvet to fire in a single line. In 2026, she steps confidently into the spotlight with the release of her second solo album, Storyland, and a major launch performance at the National Arts Centre.

Harding’s path to this moment has been anything but linear. After years touring across Canada and abroad—playing juke joints in the Northwest Territories, performing for the Armed Forces in Bosnia and the Middle East, and fronting bands in every kind of venue imaginable—she eventually returned home to Ottawa. Like many in the capital, she found herself working in the Public Service by day while quietly maintaining her musical life by night. Colleagues grew accustomed to seeing a guitar tucked under her desk, ready for the sprint from office to stage.

Now, with Storyland, Harding is fully embracing the artist she has always been.

The album arrives June 5 on the Instant Replay Music label, distributed by Fontana North/Universal. It blends soul, blues, and R&B into a mature, emotionally rich collection of songs that reflect love, resilience, and lived experience. Harding will debut the new material live on June 16 at the National Arts Centre’s Azrieli Studio, joined by special guest Shawn Tavenier and a ten‑piece all‑star band featuring several Cooper Brothers alumni.

While Storyland was recorded in Ottawa, its roots stretch deep into Alabama. Harding’s long‑standing connection to Muscle Shoals continues here, with legendary guitarist Kelvin Holly—whose credits include Little Richard and The Amazing Rhythm Aces—travelling north to play on the sessions. The iconic Muscle Shoals Horns recorded their parts in Alabama, and Grammy‑winning engineer Jimmy Nutt mixed the album at The NuttHouse, adding the unmistakable warmth and grit of the region’s sound.

The album was produced and written by veteran songwriter and Cooper Brothers co‑founder Richard Cooper, whose narrative‑driven approach gives Storyland a cohesive arc. Harding’s voice sits at the centre of it all—commanding, soulful, and shaped by decades of real‑world performing. The result is a record that bridges two musical traditions: Canadian storytelling and Southern soul.

“Working on Storyland with Richard Cooper has been a thrill,” Harding says. “We found our musical groove together, and I couldn’t be happier. So many talented musicians and technical folks from both sides of the 49th parallel have come together on this record. I am so proud of this beautiful thing we have created.”

For Harding, the album is also a testament to perseverance. “As a singer, my job is to tell the truth emotionally, and Storyland gave me the space to do that. The songs are honest stories, sung from the heart. Every drive home in terrible weather at 3 a.m. after a not‑so‑great gig has been worth it to bring me to this time and place. I’ve definitely paid my dues, but I wouldn’t change a darn thing.”

Two tracks hold particular meaning for her. “Down in the Shoals” recounts the origins of her connection to Muscle Shoals, made even more special by Kelvin Holly’s guitar work. “Through It All,” a duet with acclaimed Canadian singer Jeff Rogers, explores the endurance of genuine love. “Singing with Jeff is always a treat,” Harding says. “I’m really happy with how that song turned out.”

Harding first drew national attention with her Muscle Shoals‑recorded debut, A Million Pieces, which showcased her emotional range and established her as a Canadian soul artist with authentic Southern ties. With Storyland, she takes a confident step forward—not chasing trends, but delivering music rooted in craft and truth. Comparisons to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, and Mavis Staples have followed her for years, but Harding’s voice remains distinctly her own: powerful, warm, and unforgettable.

Her first single, “Money Man,” offers a taste of what’s to come and is already generating buzz online.

With Storyland, Sherri Harding is not reinventing herself—she is revealing the artist she has always been. And on June 16, Ottawa audiences will have the chance to experience that evolution live at the National Arts Centre.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. through the NAC Box Office at 1‑844‑985‑2787 or online at ticketmaster.ca.