Lisa Marie Simmons

“I find in writing songs that I’m often walking that thin line – I’m trying to make a personal, individual experience universal,” muses singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Simmons.

From homebase on the coast of Italy’s beautiful Lake Garda, Simmons collaboratively leads two different ensembles – Hippie Tendencies and NoteSpeak – with keyboardist, arranger, and songwriter Marco Cremaschini, each deeply but differently informed by Simmons’ own struggles and triumphs.

Born in Colorado Springs (CO), Simmons survived several troubled adoptions and foster homes. She found solace in singing and was featured soloist with the Boulder Youth Choir. At nineteen, Simmons moved to New York City to study theater and music at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts while performing on the Manhattan club circuit at night. “Music is my savior,” she has said.

In the 1990s, Simmons explored and performed music in Amsterdam, Costa Rica, St. Marten, and France, where she began to compose her own music and lyrics. She continued her travels through Central and South America, then stepped out in 1999 as a solo artist with her first single (“Feel It”) while continuing to collaborate with various Italian artists and producers. Simmons and Cremaschini have since divided most of their attention between the neo-folk-soul project Hippie Tendencies and spoken-word-jazz project NoteSpeak. Hippie Tendencies’ cover of “Here’s To You/The Ballad of Sacco and Vanzetti,” which recants the execution of two Italian immigrants wrongly convicted for murder during a 1920 armed robbery in Massachusetts, was adopted by Amnesty International the theme for their #herestoyou campaign.

NoteSpeak explores creative paths established by such artists as The Last Poets, Gil Scott- Heron, and Brian Jackson, constantly shifting from style to style yet keeping a consistent, deep groove. Simmons' delivery connects Nina Simone to Jill Scott, obliterating the line between vocalist and poetess. “I love the exploration of the spoken, sung and played mingled,” Simmons explains. “In NoteSpeak, we’re giving ourselves the freedom to just tell these stories with as much craft and beauty and compassion as we can muster.”

In 2017, Simmons returned to Boulder for NoteSpeak’s US debut, a free concert performance at the third annual ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival. In 2018, she was an invited speaker at the University of Colorado Boulder’s 2018 Conference on World Affairs, and NoteSpeak was nominated in the Spoken Word category for the global 2018 Independent Music Awards. Marco, Lisa and their band debuted NoteSpeak in Europe in November 2019 at the Prague International Jazz Festival hosted by the Reduta Jazz Club and in India on the Jaipur Music Stage in January 2020.

“I am an idealist,” Simmons allows. “It seems so obvious to me that love and the thread that connects each of us is all that matters.”

“Musically and vocally, NoteSpeak consistently changes, shifting from style to style – acoustic jazz solos into hip-hop beats into harmonized gospel vocals into electronic jazz and fusion into free verse rhyming – and yet seems to constantly groove. Simmons’ delivery swims in the deep waters connecting Nina Simone to Jill Scott, completely obliterating the line between vocalist and poetess: Warning like a mother lioness, whippersnapping through urban haunts, and curiously wondering about it all.” Senior Editor at All About Jazz Chris M. Slawecki

“Lisa Marie Simmons has a powerful magnetizing voice for our time- for all time. Authentic and deeply committed.”- Anne Waldman, author of Trickster Feminism (Penguin Poets)

As a songwriting team with Marco Cremaschini she has collaborated with a long list of musicians: drummer Larry Thompson (Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald ) Anna Maria Castelli , Alan Farrington, Lisa Bell, Cheryl Porter, Filippo De Paoli, Enrico Sauda, Loris Baroni among many others.

They are artists in residence at Lou Casteou in the South of France, where they teach a songwriting course twice a year called “How to write an enduring song rather than a hit song”. http://www.loucasteou.com/luxury-cote-azur-cultural-retreat.asp

Besides performing for Non Profit events they also work with the non profit company Charity Spring, writing music for their use.

Awards

We have been honored with several awards for our songs not limited to but including in 2011 The “Premio Speciale” from the town of Sirmione in the north of Italy for Art, Music and Entertainment , in 2013 Empower Music and Arts for a positive music award from Florida U.S.A. and the lead song from The Italian Project (album co- written with Bob Story and Lisa Bell ) , “Bring the Love”, was one of the winners of the first Colorado Music Business Organization's Songwriting Contest in the Americana category with a second song from the album “Walk with Me” gaining an Honorable Mention in the same category in 2013. In 2018 we were nominated for an Independent Music Award.

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Lisa Marie Simmons with NoteSpeak-

Jaipur Press January 2020

https://indiaeducationdiary.in/international-sensations-delight-audiences-at-the-second- evening-of-jaipur-music-stage-2020/

“Lisa Marie Simmons has a powerful magnetizing voice for our time- for all time. Authentic and deeply committed.”- Anne Waldman, author of Trickster Feminism (Penguin Poets).

“Lisa Marie Simmons is forging her rightful place in the annals of music history. Her cd, Note Speak: Amori E Tragedie In Musica is poetic mastery of sound and silence.” - Regina Harris Baiocchi - composer, author, and poet

Lisa Marie Simmons with NoteSpeak-

Jaipur Press January 2020

https://indiaeducationdiary.in/international-sensations-delight-audiences-at-the-second- evening-of-jaipur-music-stage-2020/

“Lisa Marie Simmons has a powerful magnetizing voice for our time- for all time. Authentic and deeply committed.”- Anne Waldman, author of Trickster Feminism (Penguin Poets).

“Musically and vocally, NoteSpeak consistently changes, shifting from style to style – acoustic jazz solos into hip-hop beats into harmonized gospel vocals into electronic jazz and fusion into free verse rhyming – and yet seems to constantly groove. Simmons' delivery swims in the deep waters connecting Nina Simone to Jill Scott, completely obliterating the line between vocalist and poetess: Warning like a mother lioness, whippersnapping through urban haunts, and curiously wondering about it all.” Chris M. Slawecki “All About Jazz”

Soundcheck Samia Video https://www.larena.it/home/spettacoli/appuntamenti/il-modern-jazz-poetico-di-lisa-marie-alle- cantine-il-video-1.7735447 L’Arena Giulio Brusati Oct. 25 2019

“Quando le parole sposano le note: chi è Lisa Marie Simmons e perché noi scegliamo di sostenerla” “when words marry notes: who is Lisa Marie Simmons and why do we choose to support her” Miriam Maretto March 7 2018 https://www.frammentidilibro.com/notespeak-un-progetto-sociale-tra-musica-e-poesia/

“Penso che in un momento storico e sociale come quello contemporaneo sia importante avere il coraggio di fare una scelta decisa come quella di Lisa: dedicare la propria arte a qualcosa di più elevato, utilizzare il proprio lavoro, la passione, la capacità comunicativa per farsi portavoce di valori e ideali a cui ispirarsi affinché la società diventi più giusta, più fraterna, più “umana”.”

“I think that in a historical and social moment like the contemporary one it is important to have the courage to make a decisive choice like Lisa's: to dedicate one's art to something higher, to use one's work, passion and communication skills to become spokespersons of values and ideals that inspire us so that society becomes more just, more fraternal, more “human”.” Miriam Maretto March 7 2018 https://www.frammentidilibro.com/notespeak-un-progetto-sociale-tra-musica-e-poesia/

“L’approccio ai brani è basato su una stretta relazione tra poesia e musica, con testi che cercano di sensibilizzare l’ascoltatore, specie con riferimento alle odierne migrazioni di massa.” Il Progresso Magazine Feb. 2018 https://ilprogressonline.it/2018/02/lisa-marie-simmons/

“The approach to the pieces is based on a close relationship between poetry and music, with texts that seek to raise awareness among the listener, especially with reference to today's mass migrations.” Il Progresso Magazine Feb. 2018 https://ilprogressonline.it/2018/02/lisa-marie-simmons/

“Con la canzone dell’album NoteSpeak – Every Generation’s War – Lisa Marie Simmons e Marco Cremaschini sono finalisti nella prestigiosa Independent Music Awards, in programma al Lincoln Center di New York City.” Il Progresso Magazine Feb. 2018 https://ilprogressonline.it/2018/02/lisa-marie-simmons/

“With the song on the NoteSpeak album - Every Generation's War - Lisa Marie Simmons and Marco Cremaschini are finalists in the prestigious Independent Music Awards, scheduled at Lincoln Center in New York City.” Il Progresso Magazine Feb. 2018 https://ilprogressonline.it/2018/02/lisa-marie-simmons/

“The former Boulder, CO musician has made a life of music and sunshine in northern Italy, concentrating on her deeply gratifying work in spoken-word’s first cousin (swing poetry?) in her band NoteSpeak; and in an optimistic, full-of-light music indescribably reminiscent of 70s pop (think Fifth Dimension) but not, in her band Hippie Tendencies. Lisa’s ethereal, light-as-air voice hits the target with an easy grace, and she has chosen to surround herself with just as comfortable-in-their-skins musicians. ” Debbie Burke 2017 https://debbieburkeauthor.com/2017/12/01/two-roads-diverged-in-a-wood-lisa-marie- simmons-takes-them-both/

Russian Review June 2019 https://vk.com/@da_vision-lubov-i-tragediya-po-italyanski

‘…the material turned out at the same time to be incredibly solid and as versatile as possible. They’ve brought together classics and avant-garde, modern instruments with acoustic, aesthetics of jazz and the energy of electronic music with amazing ease and authenticity.’

Entire review We’ve found one more confirmation that interesting jazz experiments are being carried out not only in cold European countries. We recently wrote about the cool Spaniards Garob, and today we want to talk about the album “Amori e Tragedie in Musica” by NoteSpeak project led by two musicians from Italy: vocalist Lisa Marie Simmons and pianist Marco Cremaschini.

NoteSpeak is a unique collaboration that intertwines poetic and musical forms, as well as carries out a social mission, trying to raise awareness of the real victories of society and the struggle of mankind across the planet.

According to the musicians themselves, they continue the ideas of The Last Poets, Gil Scott- Heron and Brian Jackson. Musically and vocally, NoteSpeak is very dynamic material that does not recognize any framework and uses all available creative tools to convey its thoughts and share those thoughts as accurately as possible.

As soon as you listen to the relaxing jazz passages suddenly a dense groove of hip-hop bursts into it, which then cuts into dashing fusion overflowing into layers, leading into acid psychedelia which ripens - and so consistently, you won’t be bored.

We cannot but send our compliments to the musicians, because the material turned out at the same time to be incredibly solid and as versatile as possible. They’ve brought together classics and avant-garde, modern instruments with acoustic, aesthetics of jazz and the energy of electronic music with amazing ease and authenticity.

Not once during the listening experience does one get the feeling that “here they certainly have done a lot of extra work.” But do not forget about the lyrics, which, as is already known, calls on the listener not to remain indifferent, urging not only to change the environment, but also himself.

Most importantly, the main message of the work is understandable even without knowledge of foreign languages. The best examples of the positive effects of globalization are records like Amori e Tragedie in Musica. When within the framework of one album the music of four continents coexists beautifully, giving birth to something new, previously non-existent, and because of this even more beautiful.

“Lisa Marie Simmons, soul e funky da brivido.” Gazette di Reggio March 2017 https://gazzettadireggio.gelocal.it/tempo-libero/2017/03/05/news/lisa-marie-simmons-soul-e- funky-da-brivido-1.14981803?refresh_ce

“Lisa Marie Simmons, soulful and thrillingly funky” Gazette di Reggio March 2017 https://gazzettadireggio.gelocal.it/tempo-libero/2017/03/05/news/lisa-marie-simmons-soul-e- funky-da-brivido-1.14981803?refresh_ce

“Lisa è un'artista talmente poliedrica e trasversale da affrontare anche repertori rock'n'roll e di American Roots Music.” Gazette di Reggio March 2017 https://gazzettadireggio.gelocal.it/tempo-libero/2017/03/05/news/lisa-marie-simmons-soul-e- funky-da-brivido-1.14981803?refresh_ce

“Lisa is such a multi-faceted and transversal artist that she also tackles rock'n'roll and American Roots Music repertoires.” Gazette di Reggio March 2017 https://gazzettadireggio.gelocal.it/tempo-libero/2017/03/05/news/lisa-marie-simmons-soul-e- funky-da-brivido-1.14981803?refresh_ce

On being a panelist/performer for the Conference on World Affairs

The other panelist, Lisa Marie Simmons, a Fairview High graduate and singer and songwriter who lives in Italy, said she can talk about having her life on display through her personal experience of blogging. “With a blog, it’s just me on display,” she said. “It’s not easy to do. It’s frightening. It’s much easier in songs. You can hide behind lyrics. You can make them abstract.” Though it can be frightening, she said, it’s also worthwhile. “If you don’t put yourself in vulnerable situations, it’s really difficult for you to grow in any way,” Simmons said. As a musician, she added, social media is a valuable marketing tool and allows her to live in a “tiny little town” on the coast of Lake Garda and still get gigs. “If I wasn’t online and didn’t have videos that people could see, I wouldn’t be able to live the life I’m living,” she said. “I would have to be in a big city, performing constantly.”

Amy Bounds Boulder Daily Camera 2018 https://www.dailycamera.com/2018/04/09/panelists-tackle-living-life-in-social-media-age-at- cus-conference-on-world-affairs/

Lisa Marie Simmons with Hippie Tendencies-

“Questo prestigioso quartetto acustico, formato da Marco Cremaschini al piano/tastiere, Christian Codenotti alla chitarra, Massimo Saviola al basso e Cesare Valbusa alla batteria, rappresenta l’essenza musicale di Lisa Simmons, voce calda e vibrante, in grado di esprimere una musicalità molto versatile. Pur partendo da un background musicale e culturale differente, questi talentuosi musicisti hanno trovato il loro comun denominatore in un eclettico intreccio tra jazz, funk, e musica pop colta, arricchiti proprio dal timbro caldo ed avvolgente della voce della Simmons. Dopo aver raccolto consensi e successo in Europa e in America con il loro disco di debutto, gli Hippie Tendencies hanno pubblicato nel 2014 il secondo album “Identity”, ricco di testi profondi e toccanti, e di melodie caratteristiche proprio del gruppo.” Verona Sera 2016 http://www.veronasera.it/eventi/cantine-arena-concerti-sax-hamilton-18-marzo-2016.html

“This prestigious acoustic quartet, formed by Marco Cremaschini on piano / keyboards, Christian Codenotti on guitar, Massimo Saviola on bass and Cesare Valbusa on drums, represents the musical essence of Lisa Marie Simmons, warm and vibrant voice, able to express a very musicality versatile.

Although starting from a different musical and cultural background, these talented musicians have found their common denominator in an eclectic intertwining of jazz, funk and cultured pop music, enriched precisely by the warm and enveloping timbre of the Simmons voice. After collecting acclaim and success in Europe and America with their debut album, in 2014 Hippie Tendencies released the second album “Identity”, full of deep and touching lyrics, and characteristic melodies of the group.” Verona Sera 2016 http://www.veronasera.it/eventi/cantine-arena-concerti-sax-hamilton-18-marzo-2016.html

Tornano in scena gli Hippie Tendencies, la band bresciana capitanata dalla cantante americana Lisa Marie Simmons. Attivi dal 2006, si sono esibiti in America, Francia ed Austria, affinando uno stile che coniuga inflessioni soul, raffinatezza jazz e sonorità acustiche non lontane dal sound west coast anni ’70. 2014 Brescia Oggi https://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/spettacoli/musica/hippie-tendencies-quell-identity-nata-sul- garda-1.4036675

The Hippie Tendencies, the band from Brescia headed by the American singer Lisa Marie Simmons, are back on stage. Active since 2006, they performed in America, France and Austria, refining a style that combines soul inflections, jazz refinement and acoustic sounds not far from the 70's west coast sound.

2014 Brescia Oggi Claudio Andrizzi https://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/spettacoli/musica/hippie-tendencies-quell-identity-nata-sul- garda-1.4036675

“The subject matter is diverse and covers a wide spectrum, from the classic theme of love to reflections on today’s society .The melodies swing from a funk to a jazz atmosphere. Despite very different musical and cultural backgrounds the five musicians reveal an incredible cohesion and have given birth to an album which is energetic and engaging.

Identity is an Album that displays a delicious harmony between the vocals of Lisa, the melodies, the arrangements and the lyrics of the various songs. A refined album, elegant and with many varieties of sound, traveling from soul, to jazz and a captivating modern pop.” Italian Jazz Music 2014 http://www.ijm.it/albums/display/412

“Canzoni da ascoltare, che inducono alla tenerezza e alla riflessione.” ”Songs to listen to, which lead to tenderness and reflection.”” L’isola della musica Italiano http://www.lisolachenoncera.it/rivista/primi_piani/hippie-tendencies-come-farsi-invidiare-dagli- state/

“Sonorità d’oltreoceano anche con gli Hippie Tendencies, il quartetto acustico che accompagna la voce calda e vibrante di Lisa Marie Simmons.“ Brescia Today 2014 http://www.bresciatoday.it/eventi/concerti/brescia-festa-della-musica-21-giugno-2014.html

“Overseas sounds also with Hippie Tendencies, the acoustic quartet that accompanies the warm and vibrant voice of Lisa Marie Simmons.” Brescia Today 2014 http://www.bresciatoday.it/eventi/concerti/brescia-festa-della-musica-21-giugno-2014.html

“La cantante e autrice di testi è infatti really American, si chiama Lisa Marie Simmons e prima di cantare scriveva poesie. Ora è il cuore pulsante di questa band che sprizza pop-soul da tutti i pori, grazie anche ad un gruppo di musicisti straordinari e questa volta tutti italiani. Provengono dal jazz, dal pop, dal rock e in questo disco suonano alla grande, contribuendo a rendere questo loro disco d’esordio assolutamente godibile.” L’isola della musica Italiano http://www.lisolachenoncera.it/rivista/primi_piani/hippie-tendencies-come-farsi-invidiare-dagli- state/

“The singer and songwriter is indeed really American, her name is Lisa Marie Simmons and before singing she wrote poetry. Now it is the beating heart of this band that pours pop-soul from every pore, thanks to a group of extraordinary musicians and this time all Italians. They come from jazz, pop, rock and in this record they sound great, helping to make this their debut album absolutely enjoyable. The singer and songwriter is indeed really American, her name is Lisa Marie Simmons and before singing she wrote poetry. Now it is the beating heart of this band that pours pop-soul from every pore, thanks to a group of extraordinary musicians and this time all Italians. They come from jazz, pop, rock and in this record they sound great, helping to make this their debut album absolutely enjoyable.”

“Un disco che giunto al termine si ha subito voglia di riascoltare.”

“A record that at the end we immediately felt like listening to again.” L’isola della musica Italiano http://www.lisolachenoncera.it/rivista/primi_piani/hippie-tendencies-come-farsi-invidiare-dagli- state/

“Questo prestigioso quartetto acustico rappresenta l’essenza musicale di Lisa Simmons, voce calda e vibrante in grado di esprimere una musicalità molto eclettica, ma anche autrice di testi intensi e mai banali.

Gli Hippie Tendencies sono riusciti a raggiungere un sound unico e personale con un ritorno al suono naturale, prodotto da musicisti di grande talento, unito senza soluzione di continuità a testi appassionati.” Giornale di Brescia 2010 https://www.giornaledibrescia.it/ricerca-nel-portale? q=hippie%20tendencies

“This prestigious acoustic quartet represents the musical essence of Lisa Simmons, a warm and vibrant voice able to express a very eclectic musicality, but also the author of intense and never banal texts.

The Hippie Tendencies have managed to achieve a unique and personal sound with a return to natural sound, produced by talented musicians, seamlessly combined with passionate lyrics.” Giornale di Brescia 2010 https://www.giornaledibrescia.it/ricerca-nel-portale? q=hippie%20tendencies

“Tre esperti musicisti italiani ed una cantante (e co-autrice) americana. Sono gli Hippie Tendencies, formazione proveniente dal Lago di Garda capitanata dalla voce di Lisa Simmons (già nel progetto dance Bacon Popper ) e completata dal pianista jazz Marco Cremaschini (Kay Foster Jackson, Cheryl Porter, Jenny B), dal bassista Massimo Saviola (Skiantos, Alessandro Ducoli) e dal batterista Cesare Valbusa (Bruno Lauzi, Omar Pedrini, Love Lee, James Burton). Il loro eponimo primo lavoro sulla lunga distanza è una miscela di generi che va dal folk-rock alla Ani Di Franco al jazz-rock di James Taylor, passando per la Dave Matthews Band e per il soul di Herbie Hancock: i testi sono improntati sul pensiero positivo, sulla pace, l'amore e l'ambiente.” Rockal 2010 https://www.rockol.it/recensioni-musicali/album/v-6503/hippie-tendencies-hippie-tendencies

“Three expert Italian musicians and an American singer (and co-author). They are the Hippie Tendencies, training from Lake Garda led by the voice of Lisa Simmons (formerly in the dance project Bacon Popper) and completed by jazz pianist Marco Cremaschini (Kay Foster Jackson, Cheryl Porter, Jenny B), by bassist Massimo Saviola (Skiantos , Alessandro Ducoli) and by drummer Cesare Valbusa (Bruno Lauzi, Omar Pedrini, Love Lee, James Burton). Their eponymous first long-distance work is a mixture of genres ranging from folk-rock to Ani Di Franco to James Taylor's jazz-rock, passing by the Dave Matthews Band and the soul of Herbie Hancock: the lyrics are based on positive thinking, peace, love and the environment.” Rockal 2010 https://www.rockol.it/recensioni-musicali/album/v-6503/hippie-tendencies-hippie-tendencies

” .. Vi si ascolta una musica dal carattere ora decisamente soul ma accarezzata sa nuance jazz e pop che alle volta sfora nei territori del folk e del blues. Un prodotto completamente originale, carico di potenzialità commerciale .. “ Come dice L’ARENA Verona https://www.larena.it/home/2.3215?q=hippie+tendencies

“.. One listens to music which is soul driven yet caressed by jazz and pop nuances that touch upon, from time to time, the territories of folk and blues. A completely original product, full of potential commerciality.” L’ARENA Verona https://www.larena.it/home/2.3215?q=hippie+tendencies Commune di CavriagoTerre Matildiche Blues Festival 2009 “On stage directly from New York, Lisa Simmons and Hippie Tendencies, a fantastic vocalist who offers modern soul. Lisa and her band are gifted with great talent and energy offering an engaging unforgettable show.” Music Club www.musicclub.it “Hippie Tendencies open the Jazz festival “Il Canto Delle Sirene” in Brescia tonight at La Corte Dei Miracoli. Lisa Simmons is the perfect choice to open the festival as she enchants much as the mythical sirene…” Spettacoli Not To Be Missed - Giornale Di Brescia Friday 12 October 2007

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