With a captivating blend of storytelling prowess and musical innovation, veteran vocalist Anna-Lisa, weaves enchanting tales through her dynamic voice and inventive phrasing. From soul-stirring ballads to vibrant standards and personalized renditions of contemporary hits, Anna-Lisa can be seen and heard singing most Tuesday nights at Keystone Korner's Bright Moments Jazz Jam Session in Baltimore MD. Anna-Lisa's passion for jazz led her to the epicenter of the jazz world—New York City. Enrolling at The Manhattan School of Music in 1990, she honed her craft on the stages of the iconic jam sessions at Augies, Visiones, Zinc Bar, Smalls and Dean Street Cafe, drawing inspiration from luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae. Her journey intersected with saxophonist Andy Farber and his Swing Mavens in 1999, a collaboration that proved instrumental in shaping her artistry. Graced by performances at Swing 46 and Lincoln Centre Mid-Summer Night Swing Concerts, Anna-Lisa absorbed invaluable lessons from performing regularly with this “little” big band.Throughout her formative years in NYC, she shared stages and recordings with many jazz virtuosos such as Steve Kirby, Spike Wilner, Alvester Garnett, Myron Walden, Stefon Harris and Terreon Gully. Anna-Lisa's career milestones also include a pivotal role as the Jazz Vocal Instructor and Jazz Program Coordinator at The University of Manitoba Jazz Studies Program from 2004 to 2018.During this time, she performed and recorded regularly with jazz faculty members Steve Kirby, Jimmy Greene, George Colligan, Derrick Gardner and Quincy Davis further enriching her musical tapestry. Notable concerts included The Songbooks of Leonard Cohen and Carol King, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Steve Kirby's Oceanic Jazz Orchestra, which stand out as defining moments in her career. Anna-Lisa is currently honored to collaborate regularly with some of today's most esteemed jazz artists, including Warren Wolf, Obasi Akoto, Sean Jones, Tim Green, Eric Kennedy, Cyrus Chestnut, Aaron Goldberg, Jeb Patton, Steve Wilson, EJ Strickland, Janelle Gill, Tedd Baker, Richard Johnson, Kofi Shepsu, and Alex Brown. Her performances can be seen at renowned venues such as Smalls and Mezzrow Jazz Clubs in NYC and Keystone Korner in Baltimore, MD. For those seeking vocal lessons, Anna-Lisa extends an open invitation. Reach out to her via email at zellsmom@gmail.com to embark on a journey of musical discovery and artistic growth.