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Lili Anel

Jazz-influenced Singer/Songwriter Recording Artist

About Me

Lili Añel considers music a calling. This six-foot tall singer-songwriter grew up in New York City, where 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.”

Defying categorization she 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, that while often recalling her many influences (Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Janis Ian, Joan Armatrading) prove her own unique style. She has supported The Holmes Brothers, Boz Scaggs, B.B. King, Raul Midon, Robert Cray to name a few. Palmetto Records released her first CD “Laughed Last”, following with “Hi-Octane Coffee” (2002), “Dream Again” (2007) and “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 NY Music Awards 2010, Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Jazz Album -”Every Second In Between” and Best Female Jazz Vocalist. On “I Can See Bliss From Here” (2013), we find Lili standing her truth. She wrote of her struggle with various loss, always in complete honesty and total feeling, along with her celebrating her life, on the biographical “Something To Do”. Lili's 2017 EP ”Another Place, Another Time” brought her continued accolades, allowing her a spot on WRTI's “Vu Haus” video series. In October 2018, Lili signed with Philadelphia label “Winding Way Records” who released a “best of” compilation at entitled “In Spirit”. A new CD on Winding Way Records, “Better Days” is set for release October 4, 2019. Lili and her band will be touring in support of this recording in 2020.

Lili Añel continues to be a singer/songwriter at the top of her game and recognized as a recording artist who successfully connects with the world.

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it moves me. It touches my soul. I was first exposed to jazz as a child. My Mom played jazz music at home. The best show I ever attended was Michael Brecker and Steps Ahead

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