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Always defying rigid categorization, Lili's music has been called a hybrid of jazz/folk/soul/pop always propelled by her powerful vocal stylings, guitar playing and songs that often recall her eclectic influences, all merging seamlessly. "I am a sum of many parts ethnically, and my music reflects this," she says. "I have many influences, but I am totally me. When I am asked, 'What kind of music do you play?' my response is always 'I play Lili music.'"

Lili studied voice and performance at City College's Leonard Davis Center of Performing Arts, which included a year of study with Jazz vocal great Sheila Jordan. She would later attend classes at Eddie Simon's Guitar Study Center. Only able to afford one class, she would audit as many other classes as possible each semester, eventually gaining the respect of her instructors who admired her rigor and talent, allowing her to participate in class as if fully enrolled. She began attending open-mic nights, which led to her putting a band together and building a following, leading to the creation of her first record, 1994's Laughed Last, on Palmetto Records.

Taken under the wing of jazz superstar Cassandra Wilson, Lili soon shared bills with Madeleine Peyroux, Boz Scaggs, B.B. King, Peabo Bryson and Raul Midon, to name a few, along with being invited to perform a co-bill with Cassandra Wilson at her venue. Laughed Last (1994) was followed by Hi-Octane Coffee (2002), Dream Again (2007), Every Second In Between (2009), all self-released. In 2007, JazzTimes Magazine said of Lili, "...her songs are consistently excellent..." and proclaimed of her 2009 release "...a CD to blow your mind at first listen...". Every Second In Between (produced by Glenn Barratt) also made the All About Jazz 2009 Year End Writers Choice for the "10 Best New Jazz Releases" list, along with winning 3 New York Music Awards in 2010 for Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Jazz Album and Best Female Jazz Vocalist. 2013 saw her release I Can See Bliss From Here, followed by 2017's Another Place, Another Time, each receiving critical acclaim. Both recordings were released under Cassandra Wilson's "Ojah Media Group", with Lili being invited to perform at Wilson's venue "The Yellow Scarf" in a co-bill with her.

Better Days (remastered) was released October 2021, and is a re-imagining of Lili's October 2019 album Better Days which lost momentum when COVID hit. This time Lili's co-producer Dale Melton who recorded, mixed and mastered the album was able to revisit it with fresh ears and make improvements with the addition of two more tracks and new artwork. One of the special bonus tracks is a live version of "Got Me Thinking" recorded at NPR station WRTI in Philadelphia. This stunning live track has never been publicly heard until now. The other bonus track "Climb The Wall" is one of Lili's best written songs from her 2013 album I Can See Bliss From Here. In its remastered form the song sits perfectly with Better Days (remastered). This captivating album was embraced by fans and critics alike.

Lili recently co-wrote a song for the award-winning play Folk City: The Greenwich Village Musical. The track, "Lovers Leap," has become a standout on the recently released cast album and was entered for several Grammy categories. The song will be included in the upcoming film adaptation of the play, directed by Venice Film Festival Award-winning director Jane Spencer.

Over all these years, Lili has performed to standing ovations from sold-out crowds in clubs to concert halls. And now, she has her ninth album, You Have a Visitor, ready for release in February 2025. Stepping aside from a full band, this is Lili at her most intimate, in a guitar/acoustic bass/drums-percussion trio setting. It is also her first time as a producer. With songs showing her wide range of influences, included are the free-form, Gil Scott Heron-inspired "I Saw the Light"; the jazzy, whimsical "Fairy Tales"; cinematic song of resignation and acceptance "Anymore"; and the African-roots folk track "Gone the Other Way." ("Lovers Leap" is also featured as a bonus track.) And, of course, there is that incomparable voice anchoring this highly anticipated, multiple-style-spanning release.

PDF Biography

"You Have A Visitor" PDF Press Release 1/1/2025

PRESS PHOTOS

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REVIEWS

“Lili's soulful jazz-folk vocals, her songwriting and her choices display enormous artistic maturity and depth. (Better Days) An album that should be heard from beginning to end and then repeated.”
Marc Myers - JazzWax  READ MORE

"The songs on Better Days address real situations in Añel's own life and in others"
Chris M Slawecki - All About Jazz READ MORE

"Lili Añel remasters Better Days"
A.D. Amorosi - Dosage Magazine READ MORE

"This is a big voiced gal that knows how to really kick it out"
Midwest Record Review READ MORE

"This latest project from singer-songwriter Lili Añel is a great introduction to the depth and breadth of her music"
Ken Francling's CD Of Notes READ MORE

'Better Days': Lili Añel Digs Into The Heart Of The Matter
Carol Banks Weber - Festival Peak "Better Days, demonstrates why her career has such longevity."
Angry Baby READ MORE

"Better Days... A well balanced and easily enjoyable listen..."
Take Effect READ MORE

"Jazz Album of the Week: In Spirit, an Anthology from Lili Añel"
Matt Silver - WRTI READ MORE

"Lili Añel brings her acclaimed music career from New York To Philly"
Suzanne Cloud - Broad Street Review READ MORE


INTERVIEWS

"Lili Añel Unplugged - the Post-Covid Interview"
Carol Banks Weber - Substack READ MORE

"Five questions with Philly jazz vocalist Lili Añel" WXPN - The Key READ MORE

"Lili Añel returns to Steel City, celebrates release of 'Another Place, Another Time' "
Southern Chester County Entertainment READ MORE

MORE ALBUM REVIEWS