Conscious, hippie, star-shining, shape-shifting, uplifting, penetrating, funk, rock and soul music from New Orelans. Equal parts unassuming and fearless, the The Lilli Lewis Project is a rhythm and soul orchestra of depth, girth and decibels that delivers “innovative, soulful music that will never go out of style.”
Award-winning singer/songwriter Lilli Lewis is known for her powerful vocals and progressive message. The “folk-rock diva” is a sought after featured performer on main stages across the United States and abroad. Whether looping solo A Cappella as “a one woman Sweet Honey in the Rock,” throwing down at Tipitina’s with her award-winning jazz/rock band The Lilli Lewis Project, or performing timeless spirituals from the African-American Folk tradition, Lilli Lewis is a modern day musical Renaissance woman whose refined blend of jazz, blues, classical, and soul bears the power to stir even the stiffest listener.
A prolific writer, composer, pianist, and producer, Lilli has appeared as both artist and sideman with elites like Dr. John, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Little Freddie King, Dash Rip Rock, Gina Forsyth, Sharon Martin, Betty Shirley, and Dr. James Walsh to mention a few.
Her first A Cappella release “Out From Yonder” tied with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for Best World/Folk Album in the 2009 CARA Awards, and bested Bobby McFerrin in “Favorite solo A Cappella Artist” in the A Cappella Community Awards that same year. Lewis and her band have been Regional Finalists for the Mountain Stage New Song Competition as well as Hard Rock Rising Global Band Battle. Notable festival appearances include the National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta’s Music Midtown, the Southern Womyn’s Music Festival, and various Pride festivals throughout the US.
The daughter of a southern minister and a Chicago reared civil rights activist, her bent towards social justice is reflected in her music and stage show. In keeping with the groundbreaking and pioneering spirit, Lewis is the only female artist on the Louisiana Red Hot Records emerging artist roster alongside Corey Henry, Colin Lake, and Jonathon Boogie Long. Louisiana Red Hot was OffBeat Magazine’s 2015 Record Label of the Year and is known for launching and supporting the careers of southern favorites such as Trombone Shorty, Hunter Hayes, and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, among others.
Her voice and showmanship have been described as “Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s virtuoso commitment to her instrument and Odetta’s vocal power, creating a show that is a force of nature.” Jamie Anderson, indie-music.com cited…“Makes you want to put your hands in the air, shout hallelujah and shake your booty for the rest of the night…enough energy to power a large city,” with Radio Stonewall stating… “Lewis is the light at the end of the tunnel…"
Lewis’s latest release, Orange Music, Volumes I & II, is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and Spotify, and she can be found weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays performing the Happy Hour set at Chickie Wah Wah, New Orleans’ premier listening room.
"Lilli Lewis has Sister Rosetta Tharpe's virtuoso commitment to her instrument and Odetta's vocal power, creating a show that is a force of nature."
- Eric Cager, Cutting Edge CE Music Conference
"The most important songwriter living in New Orleans right now."
- Dr. James Walsh, composer
"Impressive...heartfelt.”
- Papa Mali
"Talent that needs to be exposed to those who can propel her."
-Kirk Joseph
"Lilli Lewis, a chanteuse, a pianist with one of the widest hearts and deftest touches in songwriting I have ever heard...uniquely poignant and heartfelt..."
- Tom Daley, poet
“Lilli Lewis Brings the promise to life in this astounding blend of sound and soul. The music is reminiscent and vibrates in your very being, like the land we all came from. Listen to [The Promised Land], the way you would want to hear directly from your ancestors...there is truth and light in there.”
- P.D. Battle, Writer/Performance Poet (Sep 15, 2011)
"A riveting a capella opening to Lilli Lewis’s “Coretta’s Song” brings to mind a Negro spiritual, and pulls the listener in for a taut, acoustic beacon to the resilience of black women."
- Jeff Harvey, okayplayer.com (Feb 17, 2009)
"Most slept on black folk singer. I listen to her when I want to be high on my soul. Don't know how I'd make it without Sleepers Wake."
- ProfYounge, Youtube.com (May 17, 2009)
"She is the TRUTH wrapped, draped, molded, drummed into a wonderful morning that never ends. Every tune is well thought and effortless. From my first listen, I was struck with awe and admiration. If you don't have this in your life, you NEED to get it. Period."
- iTunes Fan, iTunes Review (Apr 16, 2009)
“Lilli Lewis is fierce! She blessed my home with music and words. My guests were very excited to be serenaded by such an impressive artist.”
- Mary Anne Adams, Fan (Mar 31, 2009)
“Lilli Lewis was the surprise guest at my birthday party. When she hit the first note, I knew immediately it was her playing around the corner because I had listened to her cd many times. The best thing about her performance was that it will always come to mind every time I play her music on my stereo. Her mini-concert will always be a very special memory in my heart and in my ears.”
- Angela Denise Davis, Fan (Apr 23, 2009)
“Lilli Lewis' Sanguine Song is the next piece that really moves the listener. Phrasing, soulfulness, and grit all make this piece come to life. The sound is like a female Bobby McFerrin, but with lyrics one might expect from a group like Sweet Honey In The Rock. This is one of the most raw and exposed pieces on the album.”
- Jonathan Minkoff, Recorded A Cappella Review Board (May 29, 0009)
940 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
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Elysian Fields' best venue featuring Etta James's piano.
940 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
801 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117