Artist Listening Party ~ Cynthia Holiday

An exciting singer who always gets a strong reaction from her audience, Cynthia Holiday is a real crowd pleaser. Her heartfelt renditions of standards, blues, and adult contemporary songs are full of swing, subtle creativity and soul. Cynthia’s position as an up-and-coming jazz artist is evidenced by her most recent performances at The Hartford Jazz Festival, Blues Alley in Washington DC and a 6-city tour in Russia. Media credits include a guest appearance with her band on the NBC –TV 4 Early Today Show. She has performed as the opening act for such entertainers as Roy Ayres, Gloria Lynn, Cissy Houston and mentor, Kevin Mahogany. Her debut CD entitled “Cynthia Holiday… All The Way” includes guest artists Cedar Walton, David Williams and Joe Farnsworth. She gives her own personal touch to familiar standards and introduces some originals. In fact, she co-wrote two of the tunes with Radam Schwartz, “I Like What I See” and “You’ve Got A Job To Do.” When asked to pick out a few favorite selections for the CD, Cynthia says, “My Little Rainbow” is a lovely tune performed with Cedar Walton’s genius on piano and I also like “Samba de Amore” which is a light samba. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Cynthia grew up around music. Her stepfather, Calvin Hughes led his own big band and played trumpet with Count Basie, Frank Foster, Clark Terry, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Big Maybelle. Ms. Holiday is currently featured in the “2011 Newark Songbirds Calendar” a tribute to the legacy and heritage of jazz singers born in Newark. Cynthia’s formal study includes the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, the Newark School for the Arts, and was coached by Rita DaCosta Turrentine, Marion Cowings, Jim Carson, Ken Hicks and Kevin Mahogany.