Lisa Simone is an award-winning singer blessed with a musical gift from her mother, Nina Simone.
Oscar nominee, Peabody Award winner, Emmy Award winner, executive producer, Grammy Award nominee, singer, composer, author, Queen Mother of the Denkyra (den-chura) Nation of Ghana West Africa, and French Knight…
Dame Lisa Simone is undeniably her own woman whose talents transcend genres echoing the tradition of her mother – Dr Nina Simone, musical icon and pioneer. Blessed with a rich vocal range, an innate skill for lyrical interpretation, the gift of storytelling and a deep understanding of music as a means of healing, empowerment and celebration, Lisa carries on the family tradition of “griot”, as her mother coined it, in her own right and on her own terms.
A highly praised international live performer whose impressive resume includes starring roles on Broadway in the original and touring casts of acclaimed musicals Rent and Aida, Lisa’s diverse repertoire – which she calls “soul music” – encompasses big band, classical, pop, funk, reggae, jazz, blues and gospel. She has performed to sold-out audiences throughout the US, Europe, Asia, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, and South America, inspiring and enlivening those in attendance.
In 2015, the release of the multi award-winning Netflix documentary she executive produced, What Happened, Miss Simone?, heralded closure on a promise made to her mother at her deathbed. Lisa affectionately refers to the documentary as, “A daughter’s promise fulfilled.”
In 2013, while filming of the documentary was underway, Lisa moved to France to ignite her solo career as an artist and composer.
In 2014, All is Well was released to critical acclaim and back-to-back appearances, followed by the official launch of My World at Paris’ Olympia in 2016, securing her status as a major headliner. In 2017, Lisa Simone Live at The Edge, a big band homage to her mother, was recorded live in Norway to two sold-out houses; a follow-up to the first live studio recorded version entitled Simone On Simone was released in 2008. A third self-penned album, In Need of Love, was released to much anticipation in late 2019. Lisa’s awards and nominations include: Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature, Peabody Award winner, Emmy Award winner, Grammy nomination for What Happened, Miss Simone?; singer and co-writer Grammy nomination for Liquid Soul’s album, Here’s the Deal; National Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Aida. Lisa served her country for ten years in the United States Air Force earning a degree in Civil Engineering before deciding to follow her heart and the legacy of her parents into the world of entertainment.