Heaven and Earth- Lizz Wright

We are still in scary times, but I took a break last week to hear the heart-felt, deep soulful music of Lizz Wright at the World Cafe Live, here in Philly. I was not disappointed.

I first discovered Lizz in 2005 when I was living in New York City and taking a lyrical jazz class in honor of my daughter Lisa, who had passed five years before. Lisa loved that style of dance. And on one particular day there was some choreography set to a song I fell in love with, “Hit the Ground.” I asked the teacher for the name of the artist- Lizz Wright- she told me and I was hooked.

She started the set with, “Sparrow,” a song she co-wrote. The refrain, “We’re going to rise up singing,” repeats at the end. like a chant, a mantra, a prayer. It rings  true now as we find ways to creatively live through the challenges of today.  Her voice is rich in depth. It is filled with love and spirituality, grace and hope. It is the right combination of  earthy and  ethereal. And the audience felt the love, felt all of it and didn’t want her to leave.

In the middle of her set, she shared with us that while she was waiting backstage for her sold out performance at the Kennedy Center this week,  word came that our current President had fired the president of the Kennedy Center’s board. ” You will probably get to do your 90 minute set, but everything is fluid,” she was told. At that moment, she was faced with a decision. She connected to her ancestors and reminded herself that singing just wasn’t a job for her- it was her calling. She did her set for the fans, with perhaps the same strength, dignity, and joy she displayed for us in Philadelphia. Maybe more.

“Let it rain… Stay with me… Stay in love… Let the pain wash away everything… We gonna rise… We’re gonna rise up singing,”

What a blessing you are, Lizz Wright. And an inspiration. Thank you!