Lizz Wright

A baptist preacher's daughter with gospel music in her blood, Lizz Wright grew into a soulful jazz-blues singer, soaking up rootsy Southern traditions, vintage Motown grooves and the spirit of New Orleans into her dreamy, wandering sound. Born in the small town of Hahira, Georgia, she grew up singing in her father's church choir and studied opera for a year at university before learning her trade as part of a vocal quartet based in Atlanta called In the Spirit. A stint touring with a Billie Holiday tribute show - which also featured Lou Rawls and Jimmy Scott - helped land her a contract with Verve, but by her own admission, the deal with the legendary jazz label came too soon. Her 2003 debut album 'Salt' was full of laid-back, neo-soul earning her comparisons with Norah Jones. Follow-up 'Dreaming Wide Awake' featuring guitarist Bill Frisell topped the Billboard Jazz Charts in 2005 and she went on to make guest appearances with jazz icon Toots Thielemans, songwriter Amos Lee and violinist Regina Carter and developed her songwriting skills on the homely 'The Orchard' in 2008. A gentle, peaceful soul with a poised, crystal clear delivery, Wright recruited Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo, indie songstress Joan Wasser and civil rights activist Bernice Johnson Reagon on her fourth album 'Fellowship' and moved to Concord Records for the more folkie, acoustic offering 'Freedom and Surrender' in 2015. With her style naturally evolving into a graceful, eclectic mix of American musical history, she worked with producer, songwriter and all-round folklorist Joe Henry on 'Grace' in 2017, which was regarded by many as her finest work.

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