Lili Añel Trio: Songs and Stories | A Fusion of Jazz, Folk, Soul, and Pop | with our guest, LVCA’s Luisiel Omar

This show is being rescheduled (again) until Saturday, June 29, due to last night’s snowstorm and tonight’s freezing temperatures – if it snows again in June…gah! If you have already purchased tickets for the January 19 show, and now the February 17 show, there is no need to re-purchase. Thank you!

Defying categorization, Lili Añel calls her music a hybrid of “jazz/folk/soul/pop” combined with a powerfully unique vocal style bringing her to the forefront. Lili continues to win over audiences with her vocal stylings, guitar playing, and songs, which, while often recalling her many influences (Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Janis Ian, Joan Armatrading) prove her unique style. She has supported Alejandro Escovedo, Madeleine Peyroux, The Holmes Brothers, Boz Scaggs, B.B. King, Raul Midon, and Robert Cray to name a few. Lili Añel continues to be a singer/songwriter at the top of her game and is recognized as a recording artist who successfully connects with the world.

Lili Añel considers music a calling. She was born in New York City and it was there that she discovered her passion for music. As a child Añel remembers, singing along to her mother’s Cuban, jazz and pop standard albums. It was also her mother who supported Lili’s desire to join the church choir. However, it was her grandfather’s recognition of how much joy singing brought to her being, which served to set her feet firmly on the path of a career in music. “My grandfather was very influential and instrumental,” says Lili. “When I sang in the church choir, he would sneak in to the Mass without telling me. I would ask him later, after letting him know that I saw him in the back, why he came to church at all and then left before it was over. His response was: “To hear you sing. I can hear your voice above the others.”

A Philadelphia resident since 2004, Añel has continued to move audiences with her songs, both of hope for the future, and standing in her truth of life’s difficulties and conjuring the strength for perseverance. All delivered with her voice, full of low reaches which one feels in their center or a falsetto that is vulnerable and sweet. Of her songs she says “they are snapshots of life and situations I’ve observed or have experienced, even if not to the letter. I may embellish or change an ending or just make the whole thing up.”

Lili’s song “Dream Again” was featured in the 2022 independent film, “The Center of Distance” by multi-award winning filmmaker, Rock Wilk. Lili also co-wrote the song “Lovers Leap” for the upcoming play “Folk City The Musical.”

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.

In 2018 Lili was a nominee for the prestigious PEW Center for Arts and Heritage Fellowship. Lili’s 2017 EP Another Place, Another Time brought her continued accolades, with an invitation to record 4 songs on NPR Music Live Sessions video series. On her 2013 release, I Can See Bliss From Here, we find Lili standing in her truth. She wrote of her struggle with various losses, always in complete honesty and total feeling, along with her celebrating her life, on the biographical “Something To Do.” JazzTimes Magazine proclaimed Every Second In Between (2009) “…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 NY Music Awards 2010, Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Jazz Album and Best Female Jazz Vocalist. JazzTimes Magazine said of Dream Again” (2007) “…her songs are consistently excellent…” Palmetto Records released her first CD Laughed Last (1994) which was supported by a U.S. tour. Hi-Octane Coffee (2001) followed.

Visit her website: lilianel.org

Opening Set by Lehigh Valley Charter Arts Student, Luisel Omar

Luisiel Omar is a vocalist at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts. Going to school for music was something he dreamed of as a child; 2 years ago, he was not familiar with playing an instrument, what theory was, or even the idea that music could be a career. In the supportive environment of LVCA, Luis has written songs, learned to play the guitar and keys, and is working on an EP with many pop/indie influences. You can find Luis on all socials @LuisielOmar