Boogie woogie artist to perform in Alexandria

Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the family tree. A Chicago, Illinois native based in Minneapolis, vocalist Lila Ammons is the granddaughter of the boogie woogie pianist, Albert Ammons, and the niece of tenor sax titan Gene "Jug" Ammons. Carrying on her roots, Ammons will bring her jazz, blues and boogie woogie talents to Sixth Avenue Wine and Ale in Alexandria on Saturday, August 11 at 7 p.m.

From her first public performance at age 5, piano and violin lessons and early experiences in theater, Ammons' range of music led to vocal performance degrees at the University of Michigan and the Manhattan School of Music.

After 12 years of working in classical music and opera, Ammons found a home in the Twin Cities' jazz and blues community, as well as a second home as a touring boogie woogie artist in Europe.

Recently, Ammons launched two ensembles, the Lila Ammons Jazz Quintet and the Lila Ammons Trio, featuring local talents and a repertoire ranging from blues and jazz to rhythm and blues.

She has also appeared at benefits for organizations such as Courage Center and taught at McNally Smith College of Music and as a private voice instructor.

About four years ago, Ammons began touring with German blues/boogie woogie pianist Axel Zwingenberger, traveling throughout Europe and Brazil and releasing their duo CD, Lady Sings the Boogie Woogie, in 2008.

Tags: variety, music, concert, entertainment