About
Bio
"Shawan is a deeply soulful songstress, originally hailing from Central Pennsylvania. Her music is an eclectic layered mix of rootsy neo-soul that is heavily influenced by black american music. Shawan began writing music at 13 years old, crafting her with seasoning from artists from Jimi Hendrix to Erykah Badu. She began to play live in 2008, having since released 4 E.P.s, toured throughout the US and abroad, eventually relocating to New Orleans where she has established herself as a regular gigging musician. Playing solo or with her band, Shawan has played many iconic venues and festivals, such as New Orleans Jazz Festival and Switzerland's Jazz Ascona Festival. She's also opened for national acts, like Grace Potter, George Porter Jr. and Kermit Ruffins."
Press
There is no other way to describe the 25-year-old’s voice but soulful. Her music, featuring traces of blues, R&B and folk laced together with her autobiographical lyrics, will probably wreck you but help you heal all over again."
— Yaasmeen Piper, The Burg Magazine
June 19th, 2020
Photo by Josh Hailey
Press
"Shawan Rice and her band opened the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s Congo Square stage to an intimate crowd on Thursday (April 25), filling the air with funky guitar riffs and soulful horn sections. At one point, Rice spoke to the crowd before singing, “Flamingo Magic,” a song from her album “Fever Dreams” released in 2023. “It just touches on a specific feeling that I get when I first lock eyes with someone I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing and my mind starts reeling,” Rice told the crowd. While there are several acts that have plenty of experience playing the festival, like Irma Thomas, Big Freedia and the Brass-O-Holics, New Orleans-based Rice, 29, is one of several artists making their debuts at the city’s largest outdoor music festival." -Khalil Gillon and Minh Ha, Verite News April 26th, 2024
Photo by Khalil Gillon
Press
“Reminiscent of Adele or Billie Holiday, Shawan could hit the deep, sultry low notes just as easily as belting out the sweet, high ones. Her repertoire ranged from blues to jazz to gospel-esque music, with each featuring her deep, introspective lyrics. She and Nate wrapped up their ~40 minute set with a Marvin Gaye medley to honor her father, complete with audience call and response to the line “What’s going on.””— Jessica Aiello, Harrisburg University Presents November 22nd, 2019
Press
“For her performance in our studio this day Shawan is accompanied by keyboardist Mike Dempsey. The two play through a few songs and give us just a taste of Shawan's soulful voice. "My mother had these two tapes that she played all the time," Shawan recalls. "And I specifically remember driving around in her jeep and just listening to Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. And then there was an Eagles tape that she used to listen to all the time...And I loved Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse, and also found Bright Eyes right around the same time I started writing. And Jim Morrison and The Doors were one of my favorite bands growing up."— Joe Ulrich, WITF
May 2nd, 2016
Photo by James Demaria