ABOUT ANITA
Armed with lyrical wit, virtuosic piano runs, and a sultry-sweet voice that hearkens back to the golden age of jazz, Atlanta-based songwriter Anita Aysola is a deft musical mixologist who seamlessly infuses jazz and blues with classic rock and traditional Indian influences.
Her debut album More Than Maybe, 2008, showcases her songwriting prowess and broad range of influences, from Norah Jones to Otis Spann. Anita’s exploration and discovery are intimately American, a theme she unpacks musically, lyrically, and emotionally on her latest album, Beyond Our Dreams, which debuted in 2018. Produced by an actor and composer of Indian heritage, Samrat Chakrabarti, in collaboration with musical polyglots from the Brooklyn Raga Massive circle, Anita’s songs fold radiant flights of Indian-style improvisation and rhythm into resonant storytelling and piano chops. Think Anoushka Shankar meets Randy Newman. The lyrics in Anita’s songs have a similar--and similarly complementary - dual nature, be it as a person of two cultures, or of several callings, as a musician, mother, and wife.
Anita's latest original single and music video “Heartbeat,” marks her first venture into music inspired by her commitment to social justice. Written in opposition to Georgia’s effort to block women’s access to abortion, and featuring the world-renown Resistance Revival Chorus, the song debuted exclusively in Rolling Stone India and was covered by NowThis for its powerful call to action. “Heartbeat” is a 2020 L.A. Music Video Award nominee for Best Social Commentary Video.
Anita has toured across the United States with shows at high-profile venues such as the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, and for notable figures like President Barack Obama. Currently, Anita is a regular performer in Atlanta, GA including at City Winery and the storied Eddie’s Attic.