THE PEGGY LEE PROJECT presents Bay Area vocalists SUZANNA SMITH and LORI CARSILLO. In a special performance, the two singers join forces to explore the complexity that made Peggy Lee ever-fascinating and irresistible to audiences. Ms. Lee, a powerhouse musician and indomitable business woman, showed her prowess onstage as a singer, songwriter and arranger. But offstage, she grappled with the inner turmoil of unresolved trauma, broken hearts and addiction.

Ms. Smith sparkles on the lighter side of Miss Lee, with optimistic, witty (and sometimes wry) songs about life and love. As counterpoint, Ms. Carsillo smolders, bringing to life the themes of jealousy, heartbreak, self-doubt and loss that haunted and brought depth to Peggy Lee’s music.

Exploring the many shades that gave nuance to Peggy Lee, these fine singers toast her enduring and alluring complexity while celebrating a budding creative partnership of their own. 

Suzanna Smith founded and leads The Peggy Lee Project, a collective dedicated to exploring the repertoire of Peggy Lee as both singer and lyricist. Working in close collaboration with pianist Lee Bloom, Smith is extending the Peggy Lee songbook with inventive explorations and new works inspired by Ms. Lee’s original compositions and numerous collaborations. The Peggy Lee Project is delighted to welcome Lori Carsillo for this special performance.

"There are relatively few contemporary female vocalists who evoke Peggy Lee, at least not genuinely. Suzanna Smith numbers among that rare ilk. That Smith sounds like Lee — slightly breathy and warmly sensual with a hint of huskiness — is undeniable, but the parallels extend much further. Lee’s ability to not just caress a ballad but smother it in mink has seldom been matched. She was also a sage swinger — never too much, never too little — as well as a first-rate songwriter. Smith checks all those boxes."   – Christopher Louden, Jazz Times

Known for her deep and thoughtful interpretations of the Great American Songbook, San Francisco Bay Area native Lori Carsillo has brought her unique phrasing and less-is-more sound to renowned venues and festivals like SFJAZZ, Yoshi’s, and Fillmore Jazz Festival. As an artist with an insatiable desire to create—she is driven to take her unique flavor of jazz to bold new heights.

"Vocalist Lori Carsillo sounds like she’s smiling when she sings.
She has a gorgeous voice, like velvet.”  – Paul Weideman, The Santa Fe New Mexican

Tickets at Shades of Peggy Lee ft. Lori Carsillo & Suzanna Smith