“Bathing in the sound of her voice and music while coming along on her lyrical journey is hands-down one of my favorite experiences.” –Jay DeRosa, long-time fan
Hannah Stokes is a singer-songwriter based in Orlando, FL. Influenced by the jazz-infused folk songwriting of Joni Mitchell and Nora Jones mixed with the soul stylings of artists like Lianne La Havas and Emily King, she forges an entrancing sonic landscape to invite you into her inner world. She carries a sultry voice that radiates throughout a room and original songs that explore powerful personal stories, reaching an audience eager to connect with her music.
A recent winner of Best Singer-Songwriter in Orlando Weekly’s 2023 Best of Orlando Readers Poll, Hannah exudes an earnest sincerity that is a can’t-miss experience. Through emotional and meaningful performances, she can captivate anyone’s attention and bring together those around her to not only share what is spilling from her heart, but to also provide a sense of connection among anyone listening in.
“Waste Time,” Hannah’s newest single, is a time paradox bossa nova about how trying to not waste your time seems to be the surest way to do just that. Fueled by the rockier 70’s side of Aretha Franklin and the timeless Japanese city pop of Taeko Ohnuki’s classic “Tokai,” Hannah and producer Jordan Morales set out to catch a hyper-human vocal image that gives the listener–through warmth, clarity, and humility–a vehicle to combat the hurry sickness the song serves to defy.
Hannah’s 2023 single “How Could This Love Be So (feat.Zoetic)” features the latest iteration of her ever evolving sound with hot RnB grooves from her full band and a Hiatus Kaiyote + Q-Tip-style rap verse from the up-and-coming Spain-based artist and producer Zoetic.
“While Stokes’ newfound polish and maturity continue, the new song channels her soul music inspirations with pure devotion. “How Could This Love Be So” is a rich and silky cup of neo-soul blending classic 1970s soul, sultry jazz and hip-hop edge with a rap cameo by Zoetic. Stokes’ latest guise is a warm and timeless look. Its effortless comfort is an auspicious sign of her budding range.”
Bao Le-Huu, Orlando Weekly
Hannah’s previous release, Hollow Bones, revolves around the discovery of love, affection, infatuation, and identity through one’s growth from adolescence to adulthood. The five songs—plus a bonus track available on the physical release—feature the debut of her full band, as well as the compelling vocal arrangements and potent production we have come to expect from her work.
“Orlando indie-folk songstress Hannah Stokes has been working toward this emergence for a long time. Her Hollow Bones EP will be her first collection in more than seven years… though, it seems the time’s been well-spent ripening her sensibilities to finally match her natural and enveloping voice.” –Bao Le-Huu, Orlando Weekly
The youthful sound of her freshman EP, Something Along the Lines Of, explores five original songs that tell their own individual and personal stories while showcasing Hannah’s warm voice and acoustic sound.
The inspiration behind Hannah’s music stems from her struggle to understand and process the events in life that have shaped her into who she has become as she has transitioned into young adulthood. To cope with the strangeness, newness, and sometimes pain of existence, she dissects her experiences into bite-sized pieces in the form of poems and songs, encapsulating an experience, thought, or feeling in words and music to achieve a sense of grounding and acceptance within her circumstances. For Hannah, songwriting is a way to reconcile who she has been, who she is becoming, and who she wants to be. In the same way, Hannah hopes that her music can be a vehicle of process and healing for the lives of others, providing the comfort of connection while they dissect their own experiences and feelings.
Read Hannah’s Interview on Orlando Voyager
As a performer, Hannah has made her way across Central Florida, playing local venues like Orlando’s newest listening room Judson’s Live, Will’s Pub, and The Social as well as festivals such as Panama City Songwriters Fest. She regularly performs with various local groups like neo-soul duo Brian + Hannah and the explosive collective Brian G’s JamFam.
A blossoming jazz vocalist, Hannah has shared the stage with big bands such as The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, and Jukebox Saturday Night. She has also been awarded scholarships from the Central Florida Jazz Society‘s Scholarship Competition 3 years in a row, winning 2nd place in 2021, 2nd place in 2020, and 4th place in 2019.
Hannah continues to develop her personal sound and cultivate Orlando’s vibrant music scene by bringing together other local talent for exciting performances and inspiring collaborations. Her most recent endeavor, Song Stringer Presents, is an events organization that celebrates songwriters throughout Central Florida and beyond through creative events that bring out the artistry in everyone. Current residencies include the Inspired By series at Barley & Vine Biergarten on every 1st Wednesday of the month as well as the Songwriters Rising series at Bynx Orlando every 3rd Friday of the month. More information can be found on the official Instagram and Facebook community .