Lili Añel – Soul-Stirring Fusion of Jazz, Folk, and Blues, Delivering Songs from Her New Album

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lili Añel brings her brand-new You Have a Visitor album to Godfrey Daniels on April 26! Stripping things down to an intimate trio setting, this album marks her debut as a producer and showcases her signature fusion of jazz, folk, and soul. With songs ranging from the free-form storytelling of I Saw the Light to the whimsical jazz of Fairy Tales, Lili’s masterful songwriting and captivating vocals shine throughout. Don’t miss this special night in our Live Music Listening Room—your backstage pass to an unforgettable performance featuring her latest release.

Lili Añel
lilianel.org

Lili Añel, a native of New York City, discovered her passion for music early, singing along to her mother’s eclectic collection of Cuban, jazz, and pop albums. Encouraged by her grandfather’s unwavering support, she embarked on a music career that led her to Philadelphia in 2004. Known for her soulful voice—rich in deep lows and expressive falsetto—Lili crafts songs that navigate hope, love, and life’s complexities. Her track “Dream Again” was featured in The Center of Distance, and she co-wrote “Lovers Leap” for the upcoming play Folk City The Musical. Her 2021 release, Better Days (Remastered), received critical acclaim, further cementing her reputation as a compelling songwriter and performer.

Now, with the release of her ninth album, You Have a Visitor (February 2025), Lili

steps into new territory, not only as an artist but also as a producer. Stripped down to an intimate trio of guitar, acoustic bass, and percussion, this album presents her most personal and unfiltered work yet. Blending her signature mix of jazz, folk, soul, and pop, the album features the free-form, Gil Scott-Heron-inspired “I Saw the Light,” the jazzy and whimsical “Fairy Tales,” the cinematic and bittersweet “Anymore,” and the African-roots folk track “Gone the Other Way.” As a bonus, “Lovers Leap” also makes an appearance. Anchored by Lili’s unmistakable voice, You Have a Visitor is a highly anticipated release showcasing her breadth as a songwriter and musician.

Defying categorization, Lili describes her sound as a hybrid of jazz/folk/soul/pop, blending her many influences—Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Janis Ian, Joan Armatrading—into something uniquely her own. She has performed to sold-out crowds in venues ranging from intimate clubs to concert halls and has shared the stage with legends like Alejandro Escovedo, Madeleine Peyroux, The Holmes Brothers, Boz Scaggs, B.B. King, Raul Midón, and Robert Cray. A singular voice in contemporary music, Lili Añel continues to connect deeply with audiences, proving herself as an artist at the height of her creative power.