Saxophonist Lily White is one of the most promising and engaging musicians on the New York jazz scene. In small clubs or large concert halls, on alto, tenor, or soprano sax, Lily never fails to inject her sunny personality and sharp wit into her playing.
In the past, Lily has caught the attention of the music’s most reknowned veterans. She has worked with Mario Bauza, the father of latin jazz, and his Afro-Cuban jazz orchestra, touring with him in the final years before his death. She was a regular member of master organist Jimmy McGriff’s quartet from 1990-1994. She has done short stints with blues pianist Jay McShann, Dizzy Gillespie, and Celia Cruz to name a few. Recently, she has been working with Anthony Braxton and his tentet along with his Tri-centric orchestra, while still doing work with blues legend Roscoe Gordon on his new record.
Since the release of her first CD under her own name,“Somewhere Between Truth and Fiction”on Knitting Factory works, her band has played festivals and clubs in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Lithuania, and Spain. In 1996, Lily was awarded with a Jazz Composition Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Also in 1996, her band was chosen by the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation for receiving matching funds from the Lila Wallace foundation for performances in not-for-profit locations around the U.S.A. In 1997, she has been awarded a “Meet the Composer” grant for an artist residency in a N.Y.C. school. Lily currently writes and performs with Audrarox which brings music to children and families, and is a member of the Douglass St. Composers Collective.
Lily has 2 more CDs on Jazz Focus Records: “No Pork Long Line” and the latest, “Big Blue Line.” This summer the quintet is playing stateside at the “Catskills Jazz, Rhythmand Blues Festival” on May 22nd. To find out about other upcoming performances, check out www.lilywhitemusic.com