Lila Ammons

Who is Lila Ammons?

Lila Ammons is a blues and jazz vocalist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ammons is the granddaughter of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons and the niece of tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons.

Studying classical voice in New York, Lila Ammons spent twelve years singing in opera, recitals and oratorios in the US and Europe, as well as doing commercial and film work. She has been moving steadily into jazz, as well as relocating to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where, with a wide vocal and interpretive range, Lila Ammons has also appeared with her project Sisters in Song for the Twin Cities Jazz Society, along with the Chicago Blues Festival.

After organizing big celebrations for her grandfather's centennial, she started performing with boogie and blues pianist Axel Zwingenberger. In 2008 they issued their first CD, Lady Sings the Boogie Woogie, on the independent label Vagabond Records. Joint concerts with The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie were followed by an appearance on Jools Holland's radio show.