LAVAHI
LAVAHI is a jazz-crossover and neo-soul vocalist, songwriter, and scholar whose artistry lives at the intersection of Black musical traditions and contemporary improvisation. She is more than a singer—she is an instrument within the ensemble, creating conversations in real time with her band. Her performances are marked by spontaneity, inspired energy, and fearless improvisation, ensuring that each show is alive in the moment—spontaneous, soulful, and never the same twice. Whether interpreting lyrics, reimagining melodies, or crafting original compositions, LAVAHI transforms music into a living dialogue between audience, ensemble, and history.
Her journey has taken her from intimate listening rooms to major festivals and legendary stages. She has sold out Atlanta’s High Museum, St. James Live!, and The Velvet Note, and appeared at the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Capital Jazz Festival. Nationally, she has performed at Blues Alley, Bethesda Blues & Jazz, City Winery, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York.
LAVAHI’s collaborative work reflects her versatility and musical curiosity. She has sung background for Grammy-nominated artist Yola, performed alongside LaTocha Scott, Tony Hightower, and Lori Williams, and, as featured vocalist with the BOOM! Trio, opened for jazz legend Gerald Albright. She also performs regularly with pianist Tyrone Jackson, Grammy-winning drummer Robert Boone Jr., and Grammy-winning bassist Khari Cabral Simmons and his group JIVA. Across her collaborations, LAVAHI contributes both live and recorded vocals, as well as songwriting, production, and arrangement expertise, bringing a unique sonic identity to each project.
A scholar as well as a performer, LAVAHI integrates research and creative practice. Her chapter “Beyoncé Reborn: Lemonade as Spiritual Enlightenment” in The Lemonade Reader explores culture, music, and performance as tools for healing, resistance, and spiritual reflection. She is also the creator of Call and Response, a performance series that merges artistry with critical dialogue between the public and the academy, inviting artists and audiences alike to engage in meaningful conversation through music.
With every performance, LAVAHI delivers an experience that is alive in the moment—spontaneous, soulful, and unforgettable, leaving audiences inspired, engaged, and deeply moved.