Push the boundaries with modern blues music

Eliza Neals is an artist, producer, bandleader, singer, songwriter and keyboardist. She has earned numerous accolades and awards for her self written and produced blues infused gems that are heard on SiriusXM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville since 2015. Eliza Neals skillfully creates blues, rock and soul melodies into unforgettable songs that are breaking the boundaries of modern blues. Eliza’s talent with her three and a half octave mezzo-soprano voice has been recognized by everyone in the blues genre including the legend Mr. Buddy Guy. He recently invited her to open for him at his iconic Chicago club ‘Buddy Guy’s Legends’ in Jan 2025. Eliza Neals has also been invited by the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame icon, Mr. Joe Louis Walker, four times to the prestigious “Mustique Blues Festival” on aka Mick Jagger Island. Upon meeting Mick himself after her set, he said, “A voice I soon won’t forget, Great” Mick Jagger.

“A voice I soon won’t forget, Great” Mick Jagger (Mustique Blues Festival 2020)

Neals has brought a fresh and contemporary energy to the blues genre, infusing it with elements of rock, soul and a hard hitting Detroit sound. Being the last Motown trained singer by songwriting legend Mr. Barrett Strong, is a gift you have to hear live. Her dynamic stage presence and powerful voice have contributed to revitalizing traditional blues music, attracting a wider audience and garnering attention from listeners who may not typically gravitate towards the genre.

Eliza Neals has embraced new production techniques and experimented with different musical styles, adding a modern edge to her many recordings. Now with over twelve studio albums not many have been this prolific in such a short time. Eliza also has collaborated with renowned musicians (Joe Louis Walker, Lance Lopez, Popa Chubby, King Solomon Hicks, etc.) successfully bridging the gap between the traditional blues sound and contemporary musical influences.

Overall, Eliza Neals has brought a refreshing perspective to modern blues music by blending genres, embracing new production techniques, and advocating for female representation. Eliza Neals has graced many a music and blues festival stage from headlining to opening festivals with such a bang she is often invited back to do it again. Her impact on the genre extends beyond her beautiful image, and she continues to be a driving force in pushing the boundaries of contemporary blues music. Eliza Neals is not like any other artist in the scene today as a label owner since 2015 many are now following her lead. Eliza Neals is not to be missed live as her connection to the audience is out of this world.

Eliza Neals started out singing and performing with her sisters and eventually was told, “you have to get a degree to live under this roof.” So Eliza chose Opera studies and graduated from Detroit’s Wayne State University (WSU) with a Bachelor of Arts degree, minor in piano. Touring with WSU concert chorale performing in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and UK’s Glastonbury as a Mezzo Soprano Opera singer was thrilling but not enough for Eliza Neals, eventually the blues chose Eliza.

Back in Detroit sitting in and performing at clubs like: Floods, Old Detroit, Burt’s Warehouse, The Rhinoceros, Soup Kitchen, Bakers Keyboard Lounge and more, honed her voice, signature style and piano chops. A chance meeting with the Motown Legend Barrett Strong Jr. led to Eliza signing to his record label, learning to produce and arrange (vocals to strings) in his multi-million dollar studio. Eliza and Barrett became good friends; he showed her the many hidden secrets of a Motown trained singer, songwriter and performer. The previous artist’s Barrett Strong produced were Marvin Gaye and Gladys Night making Eliza Neals the last Motown trained R&B vocalist from Detroit. Eliza Neals has credit as co-songwriter and co-producer on “Stronghold II” Barrett Strong’s latest album.

“Barrett Strong is one of my mentors after graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice for Opera and a minor in piano… I met Barrett and worked in his studio as tons of artists came in and out everyday. He showed me (almost) every trick in the book and you can hear some of them on my records. I love classic, late 60’s rock and 70’s soul; Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, and Aretha Franklin. My sisters and I would play their records and the piano as kids. I would take their music and play it my way, and make it my own. I still love all the greats, Doobie Brothers, Elton John, Rolling Stones, Carole King, James Taylor, Albert Collins, Blind Faith, Neil Young, Koko Taylor, B.B. King …

I learned the blues and started making these songs, mashed together with rock, and Southern rock. That’s when it really stoked me. I mean, Jackson Brown; the way he would play the piano was just so soulful, yet, so bluesy. All those people really got into my bloodstream. Of course there was Led Zeppelin too, and as far as female singers, Janis Joplin was way up there for me. I love Bonnie Raitt, and I listen to her constantly. I love funk, and Motown…” – American Blues Scene 2015 Interview