Lillian Boutté


Lillian Theresa Boutté-l’Etienne was an American jazz and gospel singer.

Early life and career

As a child, Boutté won a singing contest at age eleven. She later received a bachelor's degree in music therapy at Xavier University of Louisiana and worked as a session musician in New Orleans, performing as a backup singer with Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Patti LaBelle, The Pointer Sisters, Neville Brothers, and Dr. John. At Xavier, she sang in the Golden Voices Gospel Choir.
From 1979 to 1983 she toured internationally with the musical One Mo' Time. She collaborated with the Olympia Brass Band on a gospel record in 1980 and recorded her first jazz album in 1982. During her tours of Europe, she began recording with groups in Norway and Denmark, and co-founded the ensemble Music Friends.
She performed frequently in New Orleans in addition to touring regularly in Europe, performing with Humphrey Lyttelton, the Barrelhouse Jazz Band, Chris Barber, Oscar Klein,, the Maryland Jazz Band of Cologne, and Pee Wee Ellis.

Personal life and death

Lillian Boutté was the older sister of fellow jazz singer John Boutté, and was formerly married to the German musician. She died following a lengthy battle with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, on May 23, 2025, at the age of 75.

Discography