Project Overview: NoteSpeak (In a Word)
Mission
NoteSpeak (In a Word) is the final album in Lisa Marie Simmons's critically acclaimed spoken-word jazz series, released on Ropeadope Records. The previous album NoteSpeak 12 garnered 5 stars from Downbeat and was named one of the Best Albums of 2023. Lisa will perform some of the new poems at Carnegie Hall in July 2025 as a guest of Charu Suri. Known as a singer/songwriter, published poet, and essayist featured in Huffington Post, Boston Globe, and Kweli Literary Journal, Simmons uses this series to confront contemporary social, political, and environmental issues through the power of language and music.
In a world reckoning with white supremacy, misogyny, and greed, NoteSpeak (In a Word) looks not only at the consequences, but at the origins. To conceive of new systems, we must examine the origins of our current ones. Language, both spoken and structural, is among the most powerful roots we have.
This project harnesses the connective force of language to inspire collective action for a better future, illuminating how the most pressing issues of our time are deeply interconnected.
About NoteSpeak (In a Word)
Blending genres including jazz, Afrofuturism, dodecaphony, and electronica with spoken word poetry, NoteSpeak (In a Word) explores how language can bridge divides and inspire empathy. Through compelling storytelling and musical innovation, each track speaks to a different aspect of the human experience, underscoring the interdependence of people and the planet. Themes range from environmental preservation and sustainability to social unity and resilience in times of division.
The album is brought to life by a remarkable ensemble of collaborators spanning generations, continents, and traditions including guitar icon Vernon Reid, funk legend Jamaaladeen Tacuma, genre-defying vocalist Gillian Margot, singer-songwriters Chanele McGuinness and Nayanna Holley (alongside her father, longtime Michael Jackson vocal director Dorian Holley), the beloved doo-wop group The Flamingos, and Irish storyteller Clare Murphy, among others.
The album doesn’t address one issue, it weaves together environmental responsibility, peace, and social justice, showing that they are all facets of a shared global challenge. From ancestral wisdom to speculative futures, the album invites listeners to see the threads between personal and planetary healing. Like their latest release Spoken Standards, which received special permission from Nikki Giovanni for the use of her poem “Resignation”, NoteSpeak (In a Word) seeks to inspire reflection on how our individual choices resonate within the larger world.
Why This Project?
NoteSpeak (In a Word) reflects on the power of the conscious use of language to foster understanding, empathy, and a sense of shared responsibility. Through its poetry and music, the album inspires audiences to see themselves within global challenges, and it highlights the transformative potential of storytelling to build a more connected world. It offers not answers but doorways.
Project Team
Lisa Marie Simmons is an award-winning poet, singer-songwriter, and performer, known for her nuanced storytelling and genre-defying work. Her previous album, NoteSpeak 12, was awarded Best Spoken Word Album at the World Entertainment Awards and featured in Downbeat Magazine’s Best Albums of 2023. Lisa’s work has been performed at venues from the Venice Biennale to the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival, earning acclaim for its engagement with timely issues.
Marco Cremaschini, co-composer and arranger, is an accomplished jazz pianist whose work is characterized by its emotional depth and stylistic versatility. Together, Lisa and Marco were named Artists in Residence at SUNY Oneonta, a recognition of their commitment to socially engaged art and received a travel grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the U.S. debut of NoteSpeak 12.
Next Steps
NoteSpeak (In a Word) will be released in September 2025 on Ropeadope Records. Our vision is to launch the album through live performances and discussions in partnership with festivals, cultural institutions, and communities worldwide. By combining music with conversations on global responsibility, we hope to invite audiences into a deep reflection on their role in shaping a more sustainable, compassionate future.