Pianists

Lisa Otey sings with a style of her own, tinged with Elvis and Billie Holiday and mixed with some driving barrelhouse and hot jazz piano. This talented performer has been heralded worldwide for her sophisticated and sensual sound. Her progressive blues style has won her many awards, including 2001 Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, 2001 TAMMIES Best Keyboards, 2001-2004 Arizona Commission on the Arts, 2000 Arizona Composer of the Year, the 1998 Arizona Blues Showdown Championship, 1997 TAMMIES Musician of the Year and, frequently, Best Performing Artist of Tucson.This rising star is making a name for herself in the world of blues and jazz music.

Born in Baltimore, MD, Lisa grew up in a rural community outside of Portland, OR. Her family, composed of musicians, supported her musical efforts from an early age. She grew up listening and playing everything in her basement- from classical to pop to musical theatre. In high school, Lisa was turned on to jazz. At 17, she moved to Tucson, AZ to study at the University of Arizona with Jazz Studies Area Coordinator and noted jazz pianist Jeff Haskell. Lisa moved on to work with many of Tucson's local theatre groups and musicians, all the while polishing her own act. Her style is an exciting blend of all of her influences, including Chicago, New Orleans, Texas, West Coast and Southwest blues and jazz.

Lisa is a crowd-pleaser as a solo act or in a large group. Her CDs ("blame it on my youth", the award-winning "Blue Angel", "Kitten on the Keys", "gimme some a yo' sugar!" and "Hard Workin' Woman"), on her own label, Owl's Nest Productions, cover the wide spectrum of her unique talent. She brings freshness to old standards and introduces her own creative brand of humor with her originals.

Lisa's CDs have received rave reviews and airplay all over the world. Her tours of the West Coast and Southwest, along with special appearances at national and international festivals, most recently including the 2002 Leiden Jazz and Blues Festival in Holland, 2002 Meerjazz Special in Hoofdorp, Holland, 2001 Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France, 2001 Roses Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival in Spain, 2000 Belgium Rhythm and Blues Festival, 2000 Cognac Blues Passions in France (as guest artist with Candye Kane), as well as appearances at the Banana Peel in Ruiselede, Belgium and the Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Alberta, have continued to bring her new fans. Lisa appears on Candye Kane's new CD, "The Toughest Girl Alive" on Rounder, and has appeared with Gaye Adegbalola, Chris Smither, Eric Bibb, Mr. Boogie Woogie, Hans Olson, Saffire: the Uppity Blues Women, Curtis Salgado, Roy Gaines, Mollie O'Brien, Homesick James, Doug MacLeod, and Karryn Allison.

In Tucson, Lisa performs at local clubs and festivals and writes for the Tucson Blues Society's Desert Bluesbeat. She is also the Musical Director and pianist for the Gaslight Theatre, one of the best melodrama theatres in the US, and the Invisible Theatre's Pastime Players, a highly acclaimed performance group of special education students. Lisa is available for masterclasses for all ages and abilities.

Among other cities, Lisa Otey may serve the following areas: Tucson, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Nogales, Green Valley, Fort Huachuca, Willcox, Elgin, Elfrida, Dragoon, Saint David, Sahuarita, Rio Rico, Rillito, Pomerene, Pirtleville, Pearce, Patagonia, Oracle, Naco, Mount Lemmon, Mc Neal, Marana, Mammoth, Huachuca City, Hereford, Cortaro, Cochise, Catalina, Bowie