On Stage: Lily Vakili can lay down the law — and the blues

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

In her Linkedin profile, Lily Vakili mentions being a self-employed lawyer who specializes in “Contract Negotiation, Biotechnology Industry and +5 skills” and how she worked for more than 20 years at Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC as Principal, Senior Counsel and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair.

She was also Director at Union Bank of Switzerland in the late 1990s.

The page included other impressive facts such as graduating from Harvard University Law School, where she was a Pew Fellow.

Vakili also graduated from the University of Minnesota Summa Cum Laude with a B.A., Political Science and Government Activities and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Nowhere on her Linkedin posting does Vakili mention that she is a badass singer/songwriter/guitarist fronting a scorching blues/rock band and also performing as a solo artist.

Vakili maintains dual careers and is very good at both.

Vakili has released five albums (and a plethora of singles) over the last seven years starting with “Oh Alright” in 2018. She followed with “Walking Sideways” in 2021, “Honey” in 2023, “Tannersville” in 2024 and “Oceans of Kansas” this year.

Vakili will be focusing on songs from “Oceans of Kansas” when she headlines a show at World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com) on November 19.

“I’ve been writing poems since I was a child,” said Vakili, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from her home in Montclair, New Jersey. “The first one was written to my mother when I was really young.

“I never considered myself as a musician, but I knew I had to pursue creative expression.

“I went to my mom and said – I have to have a creative life.’

“She turned, looked right at me and said, “What are you waiting for? No-one else will do it for you.’

“That was a great gift that she gave me. I thought I should just do what I can – and be brave.

“I started writing songs and making music 12 years ago. Gradually, I was making good music and writing good songs. I had stories I wanted to tell, and I knew how I wanted to tell them. It was learning as I go.”

From when she was a young child, Vakili was exposed to a lot of different lifestyles and cultures. She is the daughter of an Iranian immigrant and an Irish American librarian

Her “growing up” years were spent in Honduras, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Minnesota and Iowa.

“I was born in Honduras – in La Lima,” said Vakili. “My father was working there at the time. We lived on a military base. I spent my very young years there.

“We moved to Florida, and, after that, we lived in Bangkok, Thailand. Then, we were in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico where my dad worked in a research station. He was a geneticist.

“I spent most of my childhood years in Puerto Rico – 10 years. Then we moved to Ames, Iowa. Coming from Puerto Rico to Iowa – I was in shock.’

After graduating from high school when she was 16, Vakili relocated to Minnesota.

“I was in a theater group in Minneapolis,” said Vakili. “I worked in theater for a while. Then, my mom encouraged me to go to university.

“So, I went to New York University and then finished my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota where I got a degree in political science.

“A friend at the University of Minnesota suggested that I should be a lawyer. I figured that if I was going to do that, I should go to the best school for law. So, I went to Harvard.”

Vakili has spent over three decades in the law field and more than two decades in the arts – dance, theater and music.

“Law and art — the right side of the brain is art and the left side is law,” said Vakili. “With me, I have the two sides of my brain talking to each other.”

In June 2025, Vakili began releasing singles starting with “Okoboji,” followed by “Tannersville” in July, “Hold On They Say” in August, and “One Human Being” in September. Then she released her new album “Oceans Of Kansas” on October 17.

“Oceans of Kansas” honors what’s been unearthed, what’s been lost, and what’s still surfacing. The songs represent places, people, love, loss and hope – the things that make a life and also make that life worth living.

“What are my inspirations for lyrics,” said Vakili, who has daughters aged 23 and 25 and a 28-year-old son.

“I spent a lot of my life observing – because I had to. I’ve always been curious.”

Vakili recorded “Oceans Of Kansas” at Second Take Sound in New York City. It was produced by Grammy-winner Reed Turchi and mastered by industry veteran and Grammy-winner Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound.

It should be noted that the title of the album is not a joke.

There was an ocean in Kansas. During the Permian Period, about 250-290 million years ago, Kansas was covered by a shallow sea known as the Western Interior Seaway, which was home to various marine species including sharks and mosasaurs. This period is significant in Kansas’ geological history, as it reflects the state’s past as an oceanic

environment.

 “Oceans Of Kansas” shows another step forward for Vakili. It is an album filled with songs that feature poignant lyrics and tunes that rock hard with a blues influence.

“I got this new album out,” said Vakili. “Yeah – I’m getting there.”

Video link for Lily Vakili — https://youtu.be/cecIijo7E4g.

The show at World Café Live on November 19, which has Mighty Joe Castro as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $19.15.

Other upcoming shows at the venue are Sara Naeini & Reza Rohani: Live in Philadelphia on November 15, Patrick Wolf on November 15 and Ayo R&B Night on November 16.

On November 15, Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will welcome the return of  Kelli Baker.

Recently signed to Gulf Coast Records by blues legend Mike Zito, powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Kelli Baker continues her meteoric rise as one of the most electrifying voices in modern blues-rock.

With a voice that commands attention and lyrics that cut to the bone, Baker has earned a reputation for setting stages ablaze across the country.

Crowned the winner of the 2024 615 Blues Revival Competition in Nashville — judged by blues icons like Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Baker is more than a performer — she’s a reckoning.

Her July tour included support dates for Grammy-winning guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and genre-defying Samantha Fish, placing her alongside the most influential names in contemporary blues.

“I’ve been recording a new record at the Blues Revival 615 in Nashville,” said Baker. “I won a recording session at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville.

“I’ve been writing a lot. The songwriting depends on the song. Lyrics usually come while I’m driving. I’ll save it and then work on it at home.”

Baker released her new album, “Granite,” on October 24. The first single from the album was ‘Silk Flowers’ – a fast blues song.

Like many musicians, Baker has been making music since she was a kid.

“I’ve been doing music my entire life,” said Baker, who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I sang in church choir with my mom. After that, I went to a Christian high school and was in a choral group there.

“Then, I taught myself guitar. I took a few years and then I got into a rock band. I moved to New York in 2012. It was where I always hoped to be.

“In addition to making music, I was also running restaurants and clubs – including the Purple Elephant in New York. Before that, I was doing it in Arizona.

“In 2018, I began to focus mostly on music. I had an ‘ah hah’ moment. When I started doing it again, I was mostly doing it myself –fake it until I make it. It was mainly at the Bar Petite every Tuesday night.”

The Bar Petite is a cocktail bar in Huntington.

“I got good at playing,” said Baker, the 2022 winner at the Long Island Blues Challenge “Road to Memphis.”

 “I also played at a lot of open mics with different musicians and that helped me learn a lot.”

Baker also landed a residency gig at one of the most prestigious music clubs in Manhattan.

“I’ve been working in house at The Bitter End,” said Baker. “I started playing there a few years ago. I’ve done a residency once a month for the last year.”

Baker’s band features guitar ace Noé Socha (Vernon Reid, Paula Cole), drummer Adam Wooten (son of Bela Fleck’s bassist, Victor Wooten) and bassist PJ LaMariana (Oteil Burbridge, John Kadlecik) – along with Baker on guitar and vocals.

“My genre is blues but I’m a rock girl at heart,” said Baker.

Video link for Kelli Baker — https://youtu.be/UnaLWBF3FqU.

The show at Jamey’s on November 15 will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

The show is also available on pay-per-view for $15.45.

Other upcoming shows at Jamey’s are Kate Gaffney’s Corner with Pete Gustavson on November 13, Bluestime on November 14 and Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam featuring Steve Shanahan’s Blues Muthas on November 16.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting The Jazz Jam Returns featuring Sandy Eldred on November 13, the Kennett Flash Encore on November 14 and One Alternative on November 15.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present the Laugh Lounge on November 13, Mutlu on November 14, the Moanin’ Frogs on November 15 and Dueling Pianos on November 19.

The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will host “HUSH: An Immersive Speakeasy Experience” on November 14.