Toshi Reagon

Artist, Change agent, Concerned citizen, Event planner, Gay, Idea generator, Musician, Parent, Performer, Producer

TOSHI REAGON Short Bio Toshi Reagon has been described as "a talented, versatile singer, songwriter and musician with a profound ear for sonic Americana--from folk to funk, from blues to rock" by critic/blogger Eva Yaa Asantewaa (InfiniteBody). "She masters each of these genres with vocal strategies that easily spiral and swoop from the expressively sinuous to the hard-charging, a combination of warmth and mischief." Toshi's band BIGLovely is a force of nature. You can see video at www.toshireagon.com While her expansive career has landed her comfortably in residence at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House and Madison Square Garden, you can just as easily find Toshi turning out a music festival, intimate venue or local club. Toshi finds home on any musical stage. Toshi has had the pleasure of working with Lenny Kravitz, Lizz Wright, Ani DiFranco, Carl Hancock Rux, Nona Hendryx, Pete Seeger, Chocolate Genius and many other amazing artists, including her favorite collaborator, her mom, Bernice Johnson Reagon. Yaa Asantewaa writes, "Toshi knows the power of song to focus, unite and mobilize people. If you've been lucky enough to be in Toshi's presence, you know you can't walk away from her without feeling better about yourself as a human being. She aims for nothing less." Toshi has been the recipient of a NYFA award for Music Composition, The Black Lily Music and Film Festival Award for Outstanding Performance. She is a National Women's History Month Honoree, and is the 2010 recipient of OutMusic's Heritage Award. Music For Your Life www.toshi reagon.com Booking and PR Music.foryourlife@gmail.com

Using Art as a lifeline. Holding the sonic voice of the people I come from. Collaborations that go beyond what I already know. I love www.fierceny.org, this group serves lgbtq youth of color in nyc.

When young women are supported, whole communities grow stronger. diversity in leadership will make everything better. I starting giving away proceeds to one of my concerts to an individual artist or small group. between $1,000-to $1500. amazing what people can do with this. I learned that giving at any level is great.

Band Leader, Composer, Concert Production, Doing What Needs To Be Done, Festival Director, Music production, Networking, Singing, Touring Musician

my first TED experience. I can fill this in when it's over.

loving sports. comic books,