Biography
Elizabeth Thomasian Neals (born February 8, 1974), professionally known as Eliza Neals, is an American blues rock singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and arranger. She has released ten albums since 1997. Neals counts Barrett Strong and Joe Louis Walker as her mentors and inspiration.
Eliza Neals is a prolific songwriter, confident producer, arranger, bandleader, pianist, and one-of-a-kind live performer. Eliza sings with unearthly passion and velvety grit, effortlessly pushing air to new heights. Her operatically trained voice has been called both sexy and menacing. None of this is surprising, of course, as Eliza mentored with Detroit’s songwriting legend Barrett Strong Jr.
Kneeling before one of America’s truest art forms with an unconditional passion to give the Blues everything she’s got. Eliza Neals, a Detroit born blues-rock star on the rise, honors the gut-wrenching, soul splitting intent the American roots of contemporary blues represents with inspired songwriting, live performances, and magic not seen in years.
In 1997, her debut album, I Want More, was issued with Neals billed simply as Eliza. A follow-up album, I'm Waiting, appeared two years later. Neals was the co-songwriter and co-producer on Stronghold II (2008), Strong's most recent album
Original compositions have garnered Eliza a 2018 Detroit Black Music Award for “Blues Artist of the Year.” and FIVE Detroit Music Awards. A total of fourteen nominations in the newly formed “Independent Blues Awards” along with “Get Ready To Rock UK’s” glowing Best Artists awards in five categories.
Eliza’s history of performing/opening for legendary musicians goes back many years from Detroit’s songwriting godfather Barrett Strong to George Clinton, The Four Tops, Kenny Olson, Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Poppa Chubby, Albert Castiglia, Micki Free, Victor Wainwright, King Solomon Hicks and recently Blues Foundation HOF man Joe Louis Walker.
Neals self-released four albums over a ten year period, culminating in 2015's Breaking and Entering. Her original compositions gave Neals a 2015 Detroit Music Award for 'Outstanding Blues/R&B Songwriter'. In 2017, her next offering, 10,000 Feet Below, saw all but one of the 11 tracks written, or co-written, by Neals. The exception was her rendition of Skip James's number, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues". Billy Davis and Paul Nelson were featured guitarists on the album, which was issued on E-H Records. Neals went on to win the 'Blues Artist of the Year' from the 'Detroit Black Music Awards' in 2018. Eliza Neals and the Narcotics (180 gram vinyl), credited to that 'band' was released in 2019. The same year witnessed the July 4 release of the EP, Sweet or Mean, also on E-H Records. Popa Chubby oversaw production of the collection, which included horn work by Ian Hendrickson-Smith and Michael Leonhart.
Eliza last full album “Black Crow Moan” is a ‘Top Album of 2020’ after landing on so many best of lists. “Black Crow Moan” finished 2020 on a high note with contiuned radio play and rescheduled tours in 2021.
SIRIUS XM CH.74 B.B. Kings Bluesville has had Eliza Neals in rotation since she released her incendiary ‘Breaking and Entering’ literally breaking her into the National Blues scene. A total of fifteen of Eliza’s songs have been played on Sirius XM satellite radio. Her blues ballad “Another Lifetime” reached #6 on Rack-of-Blues and her most recent album “Black Crow Moan” reached #9 on Rack-of-Blues in 2020. “Sugar Daddy” released the summer of 2021 reached #5 and remained on for twelve weeks. Eliza’s albums have made it onto Billboard Top #25 and had 5 singles in the TOP 5 spots on Amazon and Itunes for over 3 months.
A cadre of amazing musicians has backed up Eliza Neals over the years. “The best in the business” is what people are saying with an all-star line-up wherever Eliza goes, the audience will be thrilled with her band and plethora of special guests.
Her radio charting and press is phenomenal, however, the standout is seeing Eliza Neals perform live. Eliza’s live shows are exciting, intoxicating and jam-packed with sultry powerful vocals, spirited moves, and soulful piano playing, all while leading her stellar band not missing a beat. Phil Ohlinger the president of the Ohio “Big Bend Blues Bash” who booked Eliza said… “In seventeen years we have had some great women vocalists perform but NOT ONE has outperformed Eliza. I think we have a new crowd favorite!.”
Website: Eliza Neals
Twitter: Eliza Neals
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