Oscar nominated/Peabody Award winning/Emmy Award winning Executive Producer, two-time 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. Likewise, she has been influenced by historical figures spanning the globe, as well as legends across industries including the arts, music, politics, royalty, entertainment, and spirituality. 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. Her reputation precedes her and her sold out performances throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, and South America are the stuff of legends, inspiring and enlivening those in attendance, en masse.
Months after her mother’s death in 2003, Lisa went on hiatus from acting and music to manage her family’s affairs. She stopped using her given name altogether stating, “When Nina died, Lisa did as well.”
In 2015, the release of the multi-award-winning Netflix documentary she founded, WHAT HAPPENED MISS SIMONE, not only launched Netflix on the world market, it 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. As her first self-penned album prepared for its European release, she marked this new season in her life by embracing both her given and star name as a token of healing and renaissance.
In 2014, ALL IS WELL was released to critical acclaim and back-to-back appearances, followed by MY WORLD’s official launch at Paris’ OLYMPIA in 2016, securing her 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, released in 2008. A 3rd self-penned album, IN NEED OF LOVE, was released to much anticipation in late 2019.
As the tour launched, COVID shut down the world and Lisa realised she had accomplished her musical aspirations and was ready for New Beginnings.
Currently, Lisa prepares for her next chapter incorporating JOY into every nuance of the process. Sky is the limit for this talented and revered artist. Some new and exciting things are just around the corner.
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.
