Lisa B's EPK|Bio, Videos, Tracks, Photos, Inquiry Form

Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein) ~ Literary Poet / Singer-Poet with Band

LISA B (LISA BERNSTEIN) IS A UNIQUELY COMPELLING ARTIST: Both a literary poet writing for the page and giving poetry readings, and a singer-poet performing with her band.

SHE HAS APPEARED at 90+ venues, including clubs, festivals, educational settings, theatres, and bookstores.

Her widely published poetry has appeared in two books (including her newest from What Books Press, Oct. 2023), one chapbook, and more than 60 literary journals and anthologies. She has won fellowships or grants from the California Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Headlands Center for the Arts, City of Oakland, and many others.

In her music, she melds lyrics with spoken poetry in original songs and adventurously reimagined standards, with jazz, hip-hop, and electronica grooves.

Her seven CDs released over the past two decades received radio play and charting on hundreds of trade-reporter jazz, college, and free-form stations, garnering rave reviews in Jazz Times, Jazziz, All About Jazz, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and many other publications and an interview in Downbeat. Press roundup here!

In addition to performances and readings, she offers workshops, clinics, and residencies aimed at writers and performers, drawing on her varied experience as a teacher and coach at the university, community, and K-12 levels, as well as her private coaching practice. Learn more about her teaching qualifications and offerings here.

See the enthusiastic responses below from critics, fans, and respected fellow artists.

Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein): AVAILABLE FOR POETRY READINGS AND WORKSHOPS

“Lisa B’s stunning new book weaves together body, spirituality, politics, and the world we live in…will stir your mind and bring you into beauty.”
—Kelli Russell Agodon

“Bears écriture feminine into the twenty-first century with grace, wit, and incredible technical dexterity.”
—Kristina Marie Darling

“A book of deep seeing…also a book of intense listening... a series of divine pleasures.”
—D.A. Powell

“Effortlessly surprising, thoughtful, and inventive.”
—Sean Singer

“A dazzling lyrical demonstration... from the highs of great jazz performance to the zen of blood testing for diabetes.”
—Lawrence R. Smith

“Superb poems...that call down the spirit.”
—Daniel Tiffany

Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein): AVAILABLE FOR SHOWS WITH HER BAND

“Daring, dexterous singer/songwriter/poet...appeal[s] to both traditional and contemporary jazz tastes and even hip-hop hipsters.”
—Philadelphia Daily News

“Singer, spoken-word artist and poet with an incisive way of chronicling situations, memories, and emotions… a pliable, expressive voice dipped in blue.”
—Jazz Times

“Each listening reveals previously undiscovered depths of brilliant artistry and colorful storytelling.”
—KIOS-FM

“Inventive and often haunting.”
—L.A. Jazz Scene

“Funky, fresh and sexy as all hell...seamless blending of jazz, hip-hop, soul, spoken word and popular music.”
—Canadian Audiophile

“Her magical voice will hold you spellbound.”
—Contemporary Fusion Reviews

SELECTED PRESENTER & FAN QUOTES

“She totally captivated the audience. She is an originator, her arrangements are mesmerizing, and her band is great!”
—Gary Hamada, Jazz and Blues Company/KRML-FM, Concert Manager

“Obviously you’re a gigantic talent…you totally controlled the room.”
—Robin Reichert, owner, Paradise Lounge, San Francisco

“You know as a poet and as a singer that you were being heard... from the silence between phrases. I was surprised by many things. First by the quality and range of your voice. When you want to you get a terrific blues quality. The people playing behind you are so good. I especially enjoyed 'Center of the Rhyme' and the Joe Williams song.”
—Philip Levine, former Poet Laureate of the United States

“That was a wonderful show last night. My friend and I had a great time. You were marvelous – charming, funny, astute, original. Your band was exquisite, each and every one of them. Your comfort on the stage and with the band felt assured.”
—B.N.

Selections from Two Shows: 1) Lisa B's Original Music and Verse & 2) Lisa's "Cole Porter Reimagined" Show

High-Rez Photos

PHOTOS ARE 200-350 dpi unless noted; the rest are png files, with all but one fairly large. All are set to download at original size upon clicking.