Lisa Hearns July 19, 2008

Lisa Hearns is an acclaimed blues and jazz musician who has performed at legendary venues and festivals in Boston, New York, and throughout New England. Leading several groups, including a jazz trio, an electric blues band, and an acoustic act, Hearns can be heard in clubs in Greenwich Village, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the New York tri-state area.

The daughter of two music professors, Hearns grew up in Massachusetts and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Although she was raised in a very musical family and studied music throughout her childhood, it was not until her adolescence when she completely immersed herself into jazz and blues that Hearns decided to pursue music as a career. She credits her early experiences in the blues scene in New York as having a profoundly inspirational effect on her. "It was as if a bell resonated deep within me, when I heard the music of B.B. King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, and John Lee Hooker, who I then had the added thrill of meeting and gaining support from for my own career. Having that kind of foundation is something you never forget. It allowed me to see, firsthand, how music knows no boundaries, and cuts across so many barriers and divisions that society sometimes tries to impose upon us."

Hearns formed and led her own groups, playing in New York City for several years, then returned to Boston in 1994 to complete her education. During that time she became active in the blues community and served on the board of the New England Blues Society while continuing to perform throughout New England. In September 2001, Hearns returned to New York to continue her performance career. About this time she began her involvement with Berklee's New York alumni chapter, offering her support and assistance at virtually every alumni event. In 2003 Hearns took on the official role of alumni chapter president. From 2002 until 2004, Hearns served on the board of the New York Blues and Jazz Society, and continues her membership with that organization. She is a member of Women in Music and the Manhattan Association of Cabaret, believing that development of strategic relationships with these types of organizations is an excellent way to stay current and to connect with other music professionals (many of whom are alumni). Currently, Hearns works together with the Alumni Affairs Office, leads a group of volunteers, plans events and activities, and sends out a regular e-newsletter listing performances, events, and topics of interest. She has formed an Alumni Songwriters Forum, which meets on a regular basis, and features various guest artists and experts from the music industry.

She has several professional recordings including the album Give Yourself Freely, for which she wrote 8 of the 10 tracks. She is an accomplished composer, singer, and pianist, and has a thriving private studio business, teaching voice and piano.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of clmgarage.