About Me
Cynthia Scott, former US Jazz Ambassador, Teacher and Grammy contender, developed her craft singing in her father's church. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music. Her recordings on TTOCS Records, I Just Want To Know Boom Boom Live in Japan with the Norman Simmons Trio Ala Carte and Storytelling both recorded Live at Birdland in New York City have all been well received.Cynthia has worked with Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis and many others. She was grateful to have worked with Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway, in their last years of performing and considers them all great teachers. The performance with Wynton Marsalis, produced a show called Chamber meets Ellington at Lincoln Center. Todd Barkan, musical director of Dizzy's, gave Cynthia the title, MVP (most valuable player) for her performance in the Diet Coke Women in Jazz festival held there. Listen up…. Her voice was the chosen one to test the Rose Room in the New Lincoln Center. Remember that, if ever asked during a game of trivia pursuit.
Born in Arkansas, Cynthia began singing at the age of four and music has been her life and passion. She says, to be able to make a living, doing what you love, is truly a blessing. After high school, Cynthia moved to Dallas Texas and became an airline stewardess while learning to sing on the Dallas local club scene. Just a baby, gracing the stage with musicians like James Clay, Claude Johnson, Roger Boykin, Onzy Matthews and Red Garland was just the beginning. Ray Charles called and she became a 'Raelette,' touring and recording with him. Along with her solo performances, her latest adventure is performing tributes to Brother Ray at Jazz festivals, concert halls and clubs with David Fathead Newman. Performing along with Cynthia and Fathead are some of the greatest, Marcus Belgrave, Leroy Cooper, Hank Crawford, Johnny O'Neal, Henry Johnson, John Hicks, Yoran Israel, Howard Johnson and others. Some of these guys were part of Ray's band back in the 60's and 70's. She says, " I felt Ray's spirit, because when you work with someone as closely as I did with Ray and coming from the church background also, I understood his music.†She is so glad to have the, opportunity to pay homage to her old boss.Her performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival received a review from the CHICAGO TRIBUNE by Howard Reich, that praised Cynthia's performance as a mesmerizing vocalist, she clearly learned a great deal from the master - his timing, his pacing, his often coy way with a phrase handled with considerable aplomb and sass. DOWNBEAT magazine December 2005 issue featured Cynthia with a picture and review of this performance with the Ray Charles alumnus.Representing her country as Jazz Ambassador 2004, Cynthia was the first singer selected to travel abroad as a cultural exchange on the life of a Jazz singer. This was in conjunction with the Kennedy Center and the US State Department in Washington, DC. She performed concerts for many diverse groups, taught classes and workshops in 5 different countries in West Africa and France. She continues to teach publicly and privately. A 2005 ISC finalist (International Song Writing Competition) for her original tune I JUST WANT TO KNOW. Cynthia was also a 1998 International Thelonius Monk Vocal Competition Finalist.
Critics have written:Exceptional Performance Jazz TimesHaunting artistry and superb talent The Syracuse HeraldVery few left made of the real thing and she is definitely one of them Norman Simmons
Ms. Scott skillfully illustrated the reflective and sensuous sides of Johnny Mercer’s song craft during a performance at the Kennedy Center The Washington PostOperating at a high level Time Out New YorkGreat Scott EL Dorado Daily News
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