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Lila Ammons

Lila Ammons has forged a path in music that at once honors tradition and her own expressive impulses. Beginning her vocal career in opera houses and concert halls, she later returned to her familial roots in jazz and the boogie woogie tradition (she is the niece of tenor sax titan Gene “Jug” Ammons and the granddaughter of the great boogie woogie pianist, Albert Ammons). She gained popular and critical acclaim touring Europe and Brazil with German pianist Axel Zwingenberger, and as feature vocalist with the ABC&D of Boogie Woogie Quartet with Zwingenberger and Charlie Watts. Ammons has won fans of bossa to blues performing at some of the Midwest’s and Europe's largest Boogie Woogie, Blues, and Jazz Fests. The Lila Ammons Jazz Quintet and the Lila Ammons Trio, perform regularly in her home-base of the Twin Cities. Through recordings and live performances alike, Ammons continues to attract new audiences with her nuanced vocal jazz narratives, a respect for traditional blues and jazz idioms, and an unpredictability that delights.

A Singer With Legendary Roots Announces Kickstarter Campaign

Source: Lila Ammons
April 18, 2018

What’s it all about? Celebrating legends of Chicago and bringing roots to life. Lila Ammons, granddaughter of Albert Ammons, famed boogie woogie pianist and Blue Note artist, and niece of tenor saxophone titan, Gene Ammons, intends to create her own legacy honoring jazz, steeped in its roots from then to now. This campaign will support production of her CD Genealogy honoring Albert and Gene, as well as her unique styling of both classics and new music. Ammons, a former New ...
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“She can make a common standard beautifully uncommon, and brings charm and passion to tunes that deserve more attention.” –Jazz Police

The Nearness of You (2013) - “Not all legacies live up to their heritage, but with her new CD, The Nearness of You, Lila Ammons stands tall with the likes of Ravi Coltrane, John Pizzarelli and Marcus Gilmore. The granddaughter of Boogie Woogie master pianist, Albert, and niece of tenor sax titan, Gene “Jug” Ammons, she proves that one can indeed make a successful leap from classical voice to jazz singer with her classic sense of time, inventive phrasing, spot-on intonation, and emotive storytelling. And with the impeccable support of her celebrated New York band including, Houston Person (sax), James Weidman & Onaje Allan Gumbs (piano), Steve Williams (drums) and Leon Dorsey (bass), The Nearness of You brings us the nearness of Lila Ammons.”