Jazz Articles about Lizz Wright

Lizz Wright at Yoshi's Oakland

by Walter Atkins
July 16, 2022

Lizz Wright Yoshi's Oakland Oakland CA June 29, 2022 The accomplished vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright introduced an exceptional blend of gospel, folk and jazz genres to an exuberant assembly at Yoshi's. Wright, accompanied by pianist Kenny Banks, gracefully took the stage to a full house in one of the San Francisco Bay Area's favorite music and restaurant venues. In witness to her talent, people ventured out on this Wednesday night to listen and savor ...

Various Artists: Ella 100 Live at the Apollo

by Jim Worsley
April 26, 2020

To be taken back in time within the scope of a period piece movie has long been a staple. Some journeys feel much more real than others, but the concept is commonplace. Venturing into the past with only the audio of a CD or record is, as they might have said back in 1934, “a whole different kettle of fish." A live audience first laid eyes and ears on this 100th birthday celebration honoring the sensational Ella Fitzgerald (born on ...

Lizz Wright: Grace

by James Nadal
August 5, 2017

In reaffirming the adage that you can go home again, Lizz Wright did just that. The songs on Grace reflect a homecoming to the singer's southern heritage--a personal rite of passage to glean inspiration and redefine her musical origins. She revisits her rural Georgia upbringing and Atlanta gospel roots, and finds comfort at her current home in Asheville, North Carolina. Having had an enduring taste of fame and success, she articulates the need for humanity, direly absent in times like ...

Lizz Wright: Freedom & Surrender

by James Nadal
October 11, 2015

Few musicians, that have been commercially successful and artistically praised, have, at the height of their popularity, decided to take a hiatus to discover themselves. Renowned expressive vocalist Lizz Wright, did just that, and guided by a warrior spirit, propelled her music into a renewed direction on Freedom and Surrender. After a string of acclaimed records for the Verve label, and a number of guest side projects, Wright signed with Concord Music Group, savoring the opportunity to create music on ...

The Top 5 Workout Tracks For November

by Chris Lawhorn
November 2, 2010

[Editor's Note: Working Out to Jazz is a new All About Jazz column, devoted to providing jazz playlists for the purpose of working out. For his third installment, Chris Lawhorn's emphasis is on largely up-tempo tracks from a handful of recent releases. Check in with Working Out to Jazz regularly, for new workout music suggestions, as Chris breaks it out for you by Beats Per Minute (BPM).] For the coming month, I've tried to find the best, up-tempo ...

Lizz Wright at House of Blues in Cleveland

by Matt Marshall
June 30, 2008

Lizz Wright House of Blues Cleveland, Ohio June 5, 2008

The strains of swamp organ accompanied, seeming to guide, Lizz Wright onto the tight stage of the House of Blue's small, mood-lit Cambridge Room. Her movement was fluid, unhurried. When she settled behind the microphone, she rooted there like a willow in soft dirt.

Throughout the opening “Trouble"--and, indeed, throughout the evening--her arms stretched from her body like wispy limbs from a spiritual ...

Lizz Wright: Dreaming Wide Awake

by Chris M. Slawecki
August 12, 2005

Lizz Wright's sophomore release is a great production of songs impeccably crafted, both soul-rending originals and poignant renditions of pop classics. Wright, who more or less emerged as a professional singer after she debuted with a 2002 series of tribute concerts to Billie Holiday, continues to demonstrate exquisite taste.

As good as the songs, instrumentation, playing, and production are on Dreaming Wide Awake--and they are all quite good--Wright's allure is ultimately all about her voice. Somehow this luminous ...