About
Bio
Shawan Rice is a deeply soulful and captivating songstress, originally from Central Pennsylvania. Raised in the quiet landscapes of the region, she grew up immersed in music and storytelling, shaping a voice that carries both intimacy and expansiveness. Her sound draws from soul, folk, and jazz traditions, creating music that feels timeless yet distinctly her own.
Since beginning her live performance career in 2008, Shawan has released four EPs, toured extensively across the U.S., and established herself as a powerful presence in New Orleans’ vibrant music scene. She has become known for performances that feel both magnetic and vulnerable, pulling audiences into the heart of her songs.
Her electrifying shows have taken her to the Congo Square stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Switzerland’s Jazz Ascona Festival, and venues nationwide. Along the way, she has opened for national acts including Grace Potter and George Porter Jr., further solidifying her standing as a rising voice in contemporary soul music.
Critics have praised her as “a true-to-the-bone soul singer,” noting that her voice carries “the grit of a blues wailer, the tenderness of a balladeer, and the sensuality of quiet-storm R&B.” Her 2023 release, Fever Dreams, has been described as her most polished and soulful work to date — a body of music that captures the honesty, depth, and timeless spirit that define her as an artist.
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