Singer and songwriter Quiana Lynell approaches music with a rare combination of grace and grit. The multi-faceted talent, who works in a variety of genres, is a limitless masterclass personified. Her love for music carries over into all interactions of her life – from singing in clubs or performing huge showcases – to teaching collegiate courses and having a little bit of fun on TikTok. 

Like so many significant artists, Quiana comes from the church. Secular music was not permitted in her childhood home in Texas, but she always knew she was a singer of multiple genres. Her local public school had music education beginning in kindergarten, so she gained a preliminary sense of how music works at a young age. She later perfected these skills at Louisiana State University where she obtained a BA of Music.

After years of honing her craft across the country, in 2017, she made her salient mark on the musical world as a wise, heartfelt, warm vocalist whose voice is singular in its soul, intensity, ecstasy, and outright spiritual courage. She played with her trio at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival which led to her performing in Poland with trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s Spike Lee tribute with a 75-piece orchestra. That November, after considering for a couple of years whether she was ready, she decided to vie for the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Award. She commanded the finals stage at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater and wowed the judges and audience with her vocal prowess that earned her the prize, which afforded her the opportunity to record an album for Concord Records. The result, 2019’s A Little Love, produced by the renowned Brian Michel Bacchus, is testament to what a rare, mesmerizing artist can achieve on her auspicious debut.

While she enjoyed that breakthrough moment in 2017, Quiana has utilized her gifts in several ways throughout her career. She sees each opportunity to share music with any audience as a chance to create memories and build the soundtrack of life. Whether she is leading the band or supporting other artists, she is thankful to have the opportunity to sketch new memories that last a lifetime. When she takes the stage, she guides the listeners on a journey, allowing the simplest of melodies to entrance the listener. She works to create an environment where love is paramount, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and respect through her music. She speaks uplifting lyrics to those who have been broken hearted and stresses the importance of not letting the past dictate one's future.

Quiana harnesses her voice as a true instrument and performs various genres of music with precision and validity. She frequents the stage as a clinician, performer, arranger, bandleader, and songwriter. She has performed with Nicolas Payton, Tank and the Bangas, Patti Austin, Ledisi, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, and countless other contemporary music luminaries. She’s graced stages such as Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s, The Kennedy Center, Marian’s Jazz Room, Carnegie Hall, and Playboy Jazz Festival among many others.

Quiana is a Recording Academy Governor for the Memphis Chapter and an Artist in Residence at Interlochen School of the Arts. She served four years as a Jazz and Popular Music professor at Loyola University in New Orleans. She’s received the keys to the city from three Louisiana cities – Donaldsonville, Gonzales, and Baton Rouge, and she was the 2022 recipient of the Baton Rouge Legacy Award.

As with many artists around the world, Quiana reconnected with longtime friends and contemporaries during the height of the COVID pandemic. Spending time digging into the music of Betty Davis, Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington, Marva Wright, Betty Wright and Millie Jackson, Lynell was reminded of the influence New Orleans music rhythm and blues has had on her. On a whim, she contacted a host of old band members, and together in one afternoon they created a magical Tiny Desk submission that garnered national press as the Best Jazz Submission of 2021, an original composition entitled “Tweedlee Dee” which playfully pits vocalist against the horn section while the rhythm is lock tight. This reinvigorated and reminded her of where it all began, and of the soul and blues of New Orleans that the horns bring to the bandstand. The constant communication and conversation drives everything as the section acts as a Traditional New Orleans Band like one would hear in Preservation Hall, Lynell adding to the texture with her vocals and storytelling. Prior to winning the Sarah Vaughan Competition, Lynell could frequently be found with a four-piece rhythm section and at least a horn or two, and tonight’s configuration is like a return to her beginnings.

The time has come and The Lush Life is set to bring the New Orleans funk, groove, and soul to hearts and ears worldwide culminating with a release Black Magic to be released in 2023. Lynell has taken tracks from A Little Love and reimagined them to highlight the new ensemble, as well as penned new songs emphasizing and utilizing the communicative nature of New Orleans inspired Rhythm and Blues, shout choruses and vamps that keep the audience entranced within the soul of the music. Working with Daniel Meinecke, her long-time accompanist and arranger, the show is infused with standards, originals, and classic soul that as always shares the message of love and undying hope, the belief that one can overcome any obstacle by harnessing the goodness within. Witness the return of the Lush Life, a tradition of New Orleans music that is fun, inspiring, and Top Tier.

Tonight’s show features Quiana and her Lush Life Band presenting an intimate evening of musical exploration at the highest levels, and promises a very memorable journey indeed.

Quiana Lynell & The Lush Life Band

Tuesday May 2, 2023

Show: 8:00PM

Doors: 7:30PM

Tickets: $25 Advance / $30 Door

Café Istanbul

2372 St. Claude Avenue

New Orleans, LA

The Fine Print:

By purchasing a ticket to this event, the buyer agrees to be filmed, videotaped and/or otherwise recorded for possible inclusion in webcast, digital download, DVD and/or CD release, and/or any other exploitation of the event without limitation or compensation of any kind, and agrees to allow organizers to use his/her image and/or likeness without limitation or compensation of any kind.

>> FACEMASKS NOT MANDATED, BUT APPRECIATED <<

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE. WRISTBANDS WILL NOT BE REPLACED ONCE ISSUED. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

By purchasing this ticket, you confirm to the maximum extent permitted by law that (1) you understand and voluntarily assume all risks associated with attending this performance, including but not limited to COVID-19, and (2) you covenant not to sue Café Istanbul Nightfest, Poolside Presents, Quiana Lynell or any related persons or entities in connection with any such risks.

For a list of other shows happening during the Café Istanbul Nightfest, click here: POOLSIDE PRESENTS