VIP Spotlight: Lisa Marie Simmons
For the discerning traveler seeking an enriching experience in Mallorca, we turn our spotlight to Lisa Marie Simmons, a remarkable artist whose work offers a profound journey of sound and storytelling. While based in Italy, her global artistry resonates with those who appreciate depth and creativity, making her an ideal cultural companion for your sophisticated island retreat.
Explore Lisa's World: lisamariesimmons.com
🌟 About Lisa
Lisa Marie Simmons is not just a singer-songwriter; she is a poet and the creative force behind NoteSpeak. Her latest album, NoteSpeak (In a Word), is a testament to her unique vision, masterfully blending evocative poetry with captivating music. This album delves into universal themes of time, love, and the enduring power of storytelling, inviting listeners into a deeply personal yet universally resonant artistic space.
🎵 Latest Releases – Your Mallorca Soundtrack
Elevate your Mallorcan moments, whether cruising the coastline or relaxing by your private villa, with Lisa's latest musical offerings:
- Once Upon This Time ft. Gillian Margot → Listen on Bandcamp
- NoteSpeak (In a Word) → Stream Everywhere
These tracks provide the perfect backdrop for introspection and enjoyment, adding a layer of sophisticated artistry to your island experience.
🏆 Music Industry Awards – A Mark of Excellence
Lisa's talent has garnered significant recognition, including these recent submissions for her exceptional work. Discover the tracks that captivated the industry:
- “No Time at All” – Best Jazz Performance → Listen
- “Solid Ground (Meet Me There)” – Best Arrangement, Instruments & Vocals → Listen
🌐 Connect with Lisa – Follow Her Artistic Journey
For those who appreciate connecting with artists directly, Lisa offers several platforms to follow her creative endeavors and personal insights:
Lisa's soulful artistry, though based in Italy, transcends borders, connecting communities worldwide. For the VIP in Mallorca, engaging with her music and journey offers a unique opportunity to enrich your travel experience with global culture and profound artistic expression. Immerse yourself in her world and let her creativity inspire your own island adventures.
✨ Extended Biography & Achievements
Lisa Marie Simmons is a multi-disciplinary storyteller: singer/songwriter (Ropeadope), essayist (Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, Kweli Journal, Jazzfuel), and published poet currently based in Italy. She fronts the poetic/musical ensemble NoteSpeak, which debuted in America at the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival in Boulder (CO) in September 2017.
She was a speaker and performer at the 70th Conference on World Affairs at the University of Colorado in April 2018. In November 2019, she presented NoteSpeak (Amore e Tragedie in Musica) in Europe, and in January 2020, Lisa presented NoteSpeak in India on the Jaipur Music Stage. Ropeadope released her poetic/musical album NoteSpeak (Amori e Tragedie in Musica) in March 2020, which received a four-star review from Downbeat Magazine.
⭐ Recognition:
- 5 Stars from Downbeat Magazine
- Featured at Carnegie Hall (2025)
- Multiple international awards, including World Entertainment Awards, InterContinental Music Awards, ISSA Awards, and One Earth Awards.
📀 Discography Highlights:
- Lisa Meets Gianni (2022, Ropeadope) – with Italian jazz legend Gianni Cazzola
- NoteSpeak 12 (2023, Ropeadope) – 5 Stars, Downbeat, listed among Best Albums of 2023
- Spoken Standards (2024, Ropeadope) – recorded at SUNY Oneonta
🎬 Documentary & Advocacy: In 2021, Simmons traveled to Florida to search for her birth father. Angela Tucker and Emmy Award–winning Bryan Tucker filmed the documentary Lisa & Isell: A Story about Adoption and the Ghost Kingdom (premiered 2022). Lisa and Angela co-authored an essay for Harvard Law Bill of Health advocating for Black fathers’ rights.
🎙️ Podcasts & Collaborations: She co-hosted the first season of DAWTA The Podcast on the transracial adoptee experience. In 2024, she collaborated with artist Phoebe Boswell on Sentient I–VI, adding poetry and performance to Boswell’s visual work.
🌍 International Performances:
- Invited performer at Venice Biennale (2022)
- Residencies at SUNY Oneonta (2023) with Marco Cremaschini
- Tours across Europe, India, and the U.S.
🌐 Explore Lisa & Marco's Project: Lisa and the Welcome
💬 Critical Acclaim
- “Beautiful and Powerful” – Giuseppe Saulo, Rai Radio 3 "Battiti"
- “Poetry and Jazz... Lisa Marie Simmons flows freely between singing and speaking/reciting, blurring the lines between poetry and music.” – J. Poet, Downbeat Magazine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- “A storyteller, an essayist and an impressive singer/songwriter, equipped with an expressive speaking and singing voice. The conclusion and the highlight of this Soul Voices!” – Olaf Maikopf, JAZZTHETIK Magazin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- “Lisa Marie Simmons has a powerful magnetizing voice for our time—for all time.” – Anne Waldman, poet
