Lili Añel

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 powerful vocals 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” (1994), 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 and Best Female Jazz Vocalist. 2013 release, “I Can See Bliss From Here”, Lili celebrates her past on the autobiographical “Something To Do” along with songs of struggle and loss, always in complete honesty and total feeling. Lili's 2017 EP “Another Place, Another Time” brought her continued accolades, with an invitation to record 3 songs on WRTI's “Vu Haus” video series. The end of 2019, found Lili’s latest recording, “Better Days” released on Philadelphia label Winding Way Records. Lili and has been included in NPR’s Live Sessions Series and has been on Public Radio’s Emerging Artist Spotlight “Station Breaks: The Best New Songs From NPR Member Stations along with NPR’s 2021 Live Sessions From Home, showcasing video performances from artists during the pandemic.

Awards

2018 PEW Arts and Heritage Fellowship 2014 Nominee, Tri State Indie Music Awards - "Indie Jazz/Blues Band/Artist"
NY Music Award - 2010 - Best Female Singer-Songwriter-Female
NY Music Award - 2010 - Best Jazz Album “Every Second In Between”
NY Music Award - 2010 - Best Female Jazz Vocalist
NY Music Award - 1989 - Best Unsigned Artist

Gear

Tanglewood, Acoustic TW45-HB, Super Folk Cutaway Heritage Guitar

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Tell Me More

Lili Añel: Finding Bliss by Climbing the Wall

Album Review

Better Days by Chris M. Slawecki

September 30, 2009

Lili Anel Releases "Every Second in Between" NY CD Release Show

February 08, 2007

Lili Anel CD Release Show at Cornelia Street Cafe Friday, March 2nd at...

“Better Days…the best song on Lili Añel’s new album…what you get on [this] release, is pure, pure feeling over pristine chops on nine heartfelt tracks…her voice rapturous and confessional…” – Carol Banks Weber/Festival Peak-Medium

“…sings with soul and vulnerability while also playing a richly textured guitar…all of the tunes, are intimate and vulnerable, with her vocal flexibility bringing you into her biographical lyrics…she wears her heart on her sleeve, bringing you into the deep recesses of her soul. Not easy in this day of feelings with no emotions” – Jazz Weekly-George W. Harris

“She tells riveting stories in a knowing voice, taking great chances with notes and phrases” - Ken Franckling/Jazz Notes

“…one of Philadelphia's premier singer-songwriters...her vocals throughout are nothing short of melodically—and, more importantly, emotionally—stunning… she writes clever, compelling songs that her soulful voice—sometimes brooding, sometimes beaming—renders with emotional power and grace” – Chris Slawecki/AllAboutJazz

“A uniquely gifted artist that is raw, ethereal and incredibly real. Lili sounds like no one but herself, a rare gift in an industry of clones” – Brent Black / Not Just Jazz

[Another Place, Another Time]...a gem of a record . . . [Añel] sings with a rawness that surpasses the music, the genre – Jazz Medium

"[I Can See Bliss From Here] One of the Top 13 Albums from 2013"...It’s very rare when an artist can immediately convey who they are in the first few stanzas of a song they’ve written and performed—without cheap theatrics, emotional blackmail, or panhandling for sainthood." - Carol Banks Weber, JazzExaminer

“[I Can See Bliss From Here]…a gem…powerful, indeed…” –Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes

“'I CanSee Bliss From Here' is the album every artist hopes for” –Robbie Woliver, Dir. of NY Music Hall of Fame

"... an exciting, fresh sounding album...one can hear 'bliss'" -Kent Manthie, Reviewer Magazine

of Every Second In Between "Superbly crafted CD... proceeds to blow your mind at first listen...her songs are consistently excellent” —JazzTimes

“The Playlist: # 2 Most Intriguing Tune, September 16, 2009. The jazz chanteuse/guitarist refuses to surrender her identity on (Supposed to Be) this ballad from Every Second In Between.” —Steve Jones, USA Today

“This one has been exercising in my CD player for a week - and doesn’t want to leave the musical gym. My favorites: all 11 tracks.” —Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes

“Her fifth album as a leader is a gem…hints of Cassandra Wilson and Nina Simone but Añel has her own voice.” —O's Place Jazz Magazine

“One of the most powerful singers in the Delaware Valley.” “Every Second In Between” —Mary Armstrong, Philadelphia City Paper’s Critic’s Choice 2009

A performer to watch [for]….a velvet voiced, vocal powerhouse whose earthy, jazz-laced tunes stretch the boundaries of traditional "singer-songwriter turf.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

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Lili Añel

Awards

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Album Review

September 30, 2009

February 08, 2007

Lili Añel

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