Lizz Wright is a Georgia-born vocalist and composer who synthesizes R&B, jazz, folk, blues, and gospel. Her father served as the pianist and musical director at the local church, and he encouraged his daughter to absorb classic hymns. Eventually, blues and jazz were added to Wright's musical plate, and by high school she was earning awards in choir competitions. She studied voice at Georgia State and in 2000 joined the vocal quartet In the Spirit. Two years later, she was signed to the Verve label, where she released the albums Salt (2003), Dreaming Wide Awake (2005), The Orchard (2008), and the gospel-heavy Fellowship (2010). After a move to Concord, she released her fifth album, Freedom & Surrender (2015). ~ MacKenzie Wilson