Quiana Lynell

Lynell was born in Tyler, Texas.{{Cite news|url=http://wbgo.org/post/quiana-lynell-wins-first-prize-2017-sarah-vaughan-international-vocal-competition#stream/0|title=Quiana Lynell Wins First Prize at the 2017 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition|last=Hamilton|first=Rhonda|date=13 November 2017|work=WBGO|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en}} She grew up in a religious home and was exposed to gospel music from a young age. During high school she was in the all-state choir.

Lynell moved to Baton Rouge for her education. Lynell earned a B.A. degree in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University on a scholarship.{{cite web|url=http://cmfa.loyno.edu/famis/bio/quiana-lynell|title=Quiana Lynell|website=Loyola University New Orleans|access-date=21 June 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.offbeat.com/articles/quiana-lynell/|title=Leap of Faith: Quiana Lynell's phenomenal ride|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=27 June 2018|work=OffBeat Magazine|access-date=27 June 2018|language=en-US}}

Lynell began her singing career as a classical singer and was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church choir in Baton Rouge. After meeting Janelle Brown, lead singer of the zydeco group 2 Da T, she began exploring additional musical genres, including zydeco and R&B. She has been mentored by notable artists such as Aaron Neville, Germaine Bazzle, and Wendell Brunious.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/entertainment_life/keith_spera/article_3f3f3938-5215-11e8-9fdc-ef5742c0475a.html|title=Keith Spera's Sound Check, May 10-16, 2018: Chicago, Bilal, Dweezil Zappa and more music in New Orleans|last=Spera|first=Keith|date=9 May 2018|work=The Advocate|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en}}

In 2017 she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition{{cite web|url=http://downbeat.com/news/detail/quiana-lynell-wins-sarah-vaughan-vocal-competition|title=Quiana Lynell Wins Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition|last=Barris|first=Michael|date=27 November 2017|website=Downbeat|access-date=21 June 2018}} and as a result of the award she received a recording contract with Concord Records.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_84befc52-d5ea-11e7-90e9-e7a7f9de9447.html|title=Hitting the right notes: Baton Rouge singer Quiana Lynell's star continues to shine|last=Wirt|first=John|date=8 December 2018|work=The Advocate|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en}}

Lynell has performed with Nona Hendryx, Terence Blanchard, Jon Cowherd, Marvin Sewell, Eric Harland, Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin, Bilal, Ledisi, and with local artists and bands in Louisiana. She regularly performs at venues in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, including at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on multiple occasions.{{cite web|url=http://www.offbeat.com/news/delgado-music-fest/|title=Sunpie, Big Sam, Quiana Lynell And More To Rock Delgado Music Fest|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=22 March 2018|website=Offbeat Magazine|access-date=21 June 2018}} She has also performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra as a principle Soprano{{cite web|url=http://snugharborjazzbistro.tunestub.com/event.cfm?id=278533|title=Quiana Lynell|website=Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro|access-date=21 June 2018}} In 2017, with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lynell performed a tribute concert to Ella Fitzgerald, celebrating her 100th birthday.{{cite web|url=https://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/quiana-lynell-sings-ella/Content?oid=8138512|title=Quiana Lynell sings Ella|last=Coviello|first=Will|date=21 November 2017|website=Gambit|access-date=21 June 2018}} In 2018, Lynell was a featured artist with Bernard Purdie's All-Star Shuffle, and Bobbi Humphrey, at Brooklyn Academy of Music's R&B Festival in Brooklyn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bam.org/music/2018/bernard-purdies-all-star-shuffle?alttemplate=mobileevent&m=1|title=Bernard Purdie's All-Star Shuffle with guests Bobbi Humphrey and Quiana Lynell|website=BAM|language=en|access-date=21 June 2018}}

In 2016, Lynell released the EP Loving Me (Q Sound){{Cite web|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release/adc06814-b330-4292-b64c-d06a8899572b|title="Loving Me" by Quiana Lynell|website=MusicBrainz|language=en|access-date=21 June 2018}} and the single Baton Rouge (Q Sound).{{Cite web|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/c627cf60-322f-4800-be84-d35e96ee2d73|title="Baton Rouge" by Quiana Lynell|website=MusicBrainz|language=en|access-date=21 June 2018}} Lynell has been a featured soloist on studio albums.{{cite web|url=https://ogdenmuseum.org/event/quiana-lynell/|title=Quiana Lynell|website=Ogden Museum of Southern Art|access-date=21 June 2018}}

Lynell has developed the educational program, "Made in America: Lyrically Speaking: Breaking Down Jazz, Blues and Soul in American Music, from the Vocalist Perspective", which has been used in clinics across the United States to educated students on jazz, blues and traditional American music from the vocalist perspective.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nola.com/community/st-tammany/index.ssf/2018/02/local_nonprofits_provide_youth.html|title=Local nonprofits provide youth outreach with classes taught by working musician mentors|work=NOLA.com|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en-US}} She is also the founder of the running club, Musicians Run, aimed at promoting running to local musicians in Baton Rouge.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/article_bb357b04-0c33-53d4-a44d-7840dcecce5a.html|title=Running helps musician Quiana Lynell regain top form|last=Rome|first=Chandler|date=24 January 2016|work=The Advocate|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.225batonrouge.com/article/singer-quiana-lynell-melds-musical-talent-tools-life|title=Singer Quiana Lynell melds musical talent with tools for life|date=12 February 2017|website=255 Magazine|access-date=21 June 2018}}

Lynell has held several teaching positions, including as band directors in elementary and middle schools. Since 2016 she has been a private vocal instructor and an adjunct professor at Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana.

• 2018: Live at the 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Munck Music)
• 2019: A Little Love (Concord Jazz)
• 2022: Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Munck Music)

• 2017: Winner of Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
• 2017: Nominee for Best Emerging Artist, Best of the Beat Awards{{Cite news|url=http://www.offbeat.com/news/nominees-best-beat-2017/|title=And The Nominees Are...Vote Now For Best Of The Beat Awards 2017!|last=Mester|first=Amanda|date=13 December 2017|work=OffBeat Magazine|access-date=21 June 2018|language=en-US}}

Lynell has two children and lives in Baton Rouge.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.quianalynell.com Official website]
• [https://www.foxperformances.com/artist-roster/quiana-lynell Fox Performances]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTOox-xwI8A The Jazz of Entrepreneurs | Quiana Lynell | TEDxLSU ]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRg_kJ5wX8E Quiana Lynell - The 504 TV Show Interview]

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Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:American blues singers

Category:American women jazz singers

Category:20th-century African-American women singers

Category:20th-century American women singers

Category:20th-century American singers

Category:American jazz singers

Category:American rhythm and blues singers

Category:Louisiana State University alumni

Category:Musicians from Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Category:Loyola University New Orleans faculty

Category:Musicians from Tyler, Texas

Category:Jazz musicians from Louisiana

Category:Jazz musicians from Texas

Category:Concord Records artists

Category:American women academics

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:21st-century African-American women

Category:Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winners