Lucy Bonilla

With larger than life vocals packed into a diminutive package, Brooklyn native, Lucy Bonilla has the world wondering, “Where the *#$% does she fit all that voice?!”

Simply calling her a powerhouse doesn’t do her justice. Her raw energy on stage and passionate vocals defy definition. She eases you in and once she has your full attention, in short, she delivers the vocal version of the Full Monty. Her shows leave you feeling fired up and ready for more.

For as long as she could remember, Lucy had a passion for music. Everything in sight was a potential instrument. If it could make noise, she had to play it. “If someone had put a ukulele in front of me, I would have tried to play it.” Bonilla jokes. As Lucy’s passion for music continued to grow and she began teaching herself to play a wide variety of instruments including drums, percussion and guitar. During a gig she took a break on the drums and sang one song. Lucy had discovered a brand new instrument. Using her voice opened up a world of possibilities. Through songwriting, she could explore sound but also her own personal thoughts, a variety of emotions and the goings on in the world around her.

Her first release “Something Out Of Nothing” was a well-received 5-track EP featuring a sweet mix of folk, funk, soulful R&B and blues. The CD was produced by Bob Stander, guitarist for the Platters. He often said "How do you do those things with your voice?" The album received glowing reviews and was on the top 30 college charts with two songs. Tony Visconti (David Bowie producer) once called Bonilla after he’d gotten a hold of tape from a performance she did in Nashville. He said "man... I haven't heard a voice like that in years... you've really got something special". The track “Bitter Sweet” was the 1^st song that Lucy connected with and got the album rolling. It was a solid track and it made her think, “Wow this is a good song, I can do something with it.” The public agreed with her.

While “Something Out Of Nothing” had a definite bluesy quality, her upcoming release, crosses fully over into the genre. In the past, the songwriting process has been slow for Bonilla, but this project flowed out of her the fastest it ever has. Lucy credits that flow to her full shift to blues. She’s found her zone and everything just clicked into place. The album features Paul Ossolo on bass (G.E.Smith Band & Buddy Guy) and was co-written by Matt Marshak (CD101.9 / Absolut Vodka 2003 Best New Artist).

Lucy’s music is colored by the world around her and she writes about what she sees, hears and feels. “Her Prayer Is Her Song” is about a homeless woman singing for money on the NYC trains. For “Karma”, Bonilla drew from personal experience. The song was inspired by everyone that has ever taken advantage of Bonilla, or someone she knew. “We've all met too many people that just don't respect life, people” The message is simple, “one day its gonna come back to you”. On the track “Good Thang” Lucy has some fun and lets us see her sensual side.

Over the years, Lucy’s talents have not gone unnoticed. In 1999 she was chosen to participate in the East Coast Advanced Songwriters Workshop. Teams of writers were assembled to co-write and produce tracks for and ASCAP Demo CD. ASCAP again took notice of the young songwriter in 2000 when she captured one of the coveted spots in ASCAP’s Demo To Deal program. Then in 2002 Lucy was a semi-finalist in Jewel’s Soul City Café songwriting contest. She has opened up in NY for Kerry Kearney and written with Maggie Ryder (Anita Baker)

What she’s delivered to audiences to date has been nothing short of astounding and Lucy Bonilla hopes to keep listeners on the edge of their seats for many years to come.