Lisa Gay

Lisa Gay was born in Los Angeles, California on March 21, 1957 to a musical family. Lisa’s musical interests began at Coliseum Elementary School where she played the Cello, Ukulele, Guitar and Percussion. Lisa sang first soprano in the choir and continued her singing at Hamilton High School in Madrigals. While attending Pitzer College, Lisa majored in Education sang in the Claremont College Choir, and she decided to pursue a singing career.

Her amateur experience (1975-1978) include working in the Black Circuit clubs of Los Angeles, performing as a soloist and background singer in venues with such renowned jazz artists as Joe Williams. From this experience, she was hired as a studio background singer with her first session being with Bass legend Chuck Rainey, Drummer James Gadson and the Late Keyboard and Arranger Richard Tee from the first original Saturday Night Live group, The “Stuff Band”.

Within a few months she began her work as a background singer for Letta Mbulu of “Roots” soundtrack fame at A&M Records, Produced by Herb Alpert and opening act for Minnie Ripperton. After touring with the Letta, Lisa recorded on sessions which included Joe Cocker, while studying under Voice Master, Dini Clarke. In May, of 1978, Lisa went on tour with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., as Lead Backup Vocalist touring with them worldwide, the first show being in Las Vegas at The Sands Hotel in “The Copa Room”and along with touring, major television appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, “The Merv Griffin Show”, “The Mike Douglas Show”. Lisa also had the opportunity to be a part of several movie scores one of which included working with the acclaimed Grammy Award Winning “Waters Family” Singers Maxine, Julia and Oren Waters.

Since arriving in Las Vegas from Los Angeles 9 years ago with her Legendary Guitarist Husband, Tony Drake, Songstress Lisa Gay successfully created music events that has brought LIVE! Sounds of Classic Jazz n’ Soul with “Music In A Class of Its Own”( that included creation of the original Jazz venue at Alexis Park Resort, Las Vegas). Lisa captures audiences with her smooth, yet powerful tones and riffs showcasing a unique style like no other reminiscent of “Young Ella” Fitzgerald, “Divine One” Sarah Vaughan, Phyllis Hyman and Nancy Wilson. Lisa has toured with Marilyn Mcoo and Billy Davis Jr., Joe Cocker, South Africa’s Letta Mbulu and worked as a Background Singer at A&M Records during the record company’s historic legacy.

Lisa’s musical experiences lead her to write and produce her own CD Project Releases, “Watch What Happens”, Christmas “Favorite Things”, and “Somewhere In My Lifetime” single with Husband Guitarist Tony Drake, Master Violinist Mark Cargill and Musical Director Keyboardist/Arranger Greg Cook, that help launch “Lisa Gay, Tony Drake and The Gentlemen of Thrill Band”, on tour with their “Live” sonic “gumbo mix” of Classic Soul, Jazz and Contemporary Music into many venues, cruises, special events, concerts, political, and educational events.

In Las Vegas, Lisa has been honored in 2012 for “Excellence In Entertainment, Lounge Performer of The Year”. Along with her band, “Lisa Gay, Tony Drake and The Gentlemen of Thrill Band”, were also honored by Entertainer Consumers Exchange Award as Winner for 2014 Best Urban Jazz Lounge Band, and the “Sweet Louie Award” for Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment.

Since Tony Drake’s passing in 2015, Lisa continues to carry on Tony’s great legacy of 54 years (Lou Rawls, Della Reese, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, Ray Charles Orchestras and more) in the music business while creating a new exciting one of her own. Lisa Gay, Co-Produced with Jonathan Scott “Guitars In Heaven” Show at Harrah’s Las Vegas, April 25, 2018, honoring Tony Drake with all proceeds going to Veterans Transition Resource Center that featured Las Vegas Headliners Clint Holmes, Frankie Scinta, The Bronx Wanderers, Jason Tenner (Prince Tribute Show), Paul Shortino and great Las Vegas local Performers. Lisa has also been a regular host on the popular Sun City Anthem TV Show, “Anthem Alive”, a musical guest on ABC’s Las Vegas “Morning Blend”, “The Dennis Bono Show” at South Point Hotel and the popular “Spotlight Spectacular” events held at The Orleans and Texas Stations dedicated to Senior Health Services.

Lisa Gay currently performs at The Dispensary Jazz Lounge, The Tuscany Piazza Lounge, 172 Live Music! At The Rio, Bobby Mao’s Henderson, The Summit in Summerlin, House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, The Bootlegger Bistro, and The Composer’s Showcase in Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center. Lisa has debuted her own work entitled, “Lisa’s Living Room” at Alexis Park and 172 Live! at The Rio Hotel/Casino with “The Tony Drake Orchestra”!! Lisa continues her work in the Las Vegas Community supporting our Veterans and donates her musical services to “The Blind Allegience Choir” of The Blind Center of Nevada and Veterans Outreach programs in Las Vegas, Lisa is also an experienced Mental Health Provider specializing in BST services and Horse Therapy also honored for her exemplary work from Ms. Senior Universe with The Community Service Award in 2018. Lisa’s talents also lend as Tour Specialist and Entertainment Coordinator for The Liberace Foundation (Jonathan Warren, CEO). and will be performing at The Smith Center in “The Composer’s Showcase” with Musical Director Uli Geissendoerfer, for Producer Ann Parenti’s Non-Profit, Forgotten Song Music, from the “Midnight Muse” CD project song, “Say Goodbye”.