Cyrille Aimée + Friends - Live at Smalls

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:00
Size: 155,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:56)  1. September in the Rain
(6:16)  2. Que Reste-Il ( I Wish You Love)
(6:36)  3. Yesterdays
(5:43)  4. East Village Inamorata
(9:38)  5. Love for Sale
(6:47)  6. I Was Beginning to See the Light
(6:07)  7. When I Was a Child
(5:29)  8. Lover Man
(7:40)  9. I Mean You
(5:46) 10. Stand by Me

Cyrille Aimée has consistently proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has received rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice. She was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition of 2010, performing in front of a jury of Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater. In 2007, Cyrille won both the first and public prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition. For her SmallsLIVE debut, she is accompanied by jazz legend Roy Hargrove as well as tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm. The rhythm section consists of pianist Spike Wilner, bassist Phil Khuen and drummer Joey Saylor. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Cyrille-Aimee-Friends-Live-Smalls/dp/B004NWHVT4

Personnel:  Cyrille Aimée – vocals;  Roy Hargrove – trumpet;  Joel Frahm – tenor sax;  Spike Wilner -  piano;  Phillip Kuehn – bass;  Joseph Saylor – drums

Live at Smalls

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Cyrille Aimee, Michael Valeanu - I'll Be Seeing You

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:33
Size: 98,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:10) 1. Bye Bye Blackbird
(2:53) 2. You Turned the Tables on Me
(5:13) 3. La Javanaise
(6:10) 4. How Deep Is the Ocean
(2:44) 5. Luiza
(4:35) 6. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
(3:49) 7. Me Gustas Cuando Callas
(3:19) 8. I'll Be Seeing You
(3:24) 9. It Could Happen to You
(5:12) 10. Bye Bye Blackbird (Alternate Take)

“My long time collaborator, guitarist Michael Valeanu, and I are preparing our very first, and way overdue, duo project : "I'll be Seeing You"!

This album is a collection of songs that we have had in our hearts for years, and that we have re-visited many times throughout the various phases of our relationship.

For those who don't know Michael, he is one of the most sensitive musicians I have every had the pleasure to create with. Michael grew up in Pigalle, the music neighborhood of Paris, and moved to Brooklyn almost 10 years ago, which is where we met. Since then we have played for numerous crowds around the World and have recorded 4 albums together along with other wonderful musicians.

This is our very first time recording as a duo in the studio, and not just any studio : We went to Ex-Machina Soundworks in Brooklyn, where our engineer Dev Avidon got an incredibly natural sound, using microphones that he designed himself with the latest technology.

Michael and I have worked one on one countless times and have always had a deep connection not only musically but also personally.I am so excited to share with you the magic that happens when we get together just the two of us.”~ Cyrille Aimée https://cyrillemusic.com/

I'll Be Seeing You

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Cyrille Aimee - Move On: A Sondheim Adventure

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:47
Size: 116,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:00)  1. When I Get Famous (Intro)
(3:39)  2. Take Me to the World
(2:52)  3. Love, I Hear
(2:52)  4. Loving You
(3:05)  5. Marry Me a Little
(4:14)  6. Being Alive
(2:41)  7. So Many People
(4:08)  8. Not While I'm Around
(1:58)  9. They Ask Why I Believe in You
(5:27) 10. No One is Alone
(2:37) 11. Un Baiser d’Adieu (One More Kiss)
(5:08) 12. I Remember
(5:22) 13. Move On
(3:38) 14. With so Little to Be Sure Of

Cyrille Aimée's latest album may come as a shock to fans of the French vocalist. Gone is the light, bubbly approach that has been her hallmark. Aimée is now a "musical interpreter," no less, and is devoting a whole album to the late works of American composer Stephen Sondheim. Except for Adrien Moignard's acoustic guitar on "So Many People," she has discarded her marvelous manouche backing band, depriving her of the interplay that made her recent stint at New York's Poisson Rouge so enjoyable. She is now accompanied by American studio musicians and highly professional though they may be the chaleur and charm of her work is gone. Whether these songs deserve her devotion is also debatable. Sondheim is fast approaching his 90th birthday. We're a world away from West Side Story, first staged on Broadway in 1957, and from A Little Night Music and its hit "Send In The Clowns" from 1973. Sondheim's recent work is frankly stodgy, with an over emphasis on words and not enough attention paid to the music. "No One Is Alone" makes a philosophical point rather than entertains. "Marry Me A Little" is plain outdated. "So Many People" hints at the writer's confusion as an octogenarian in the modern world. Aimée copes pretty well. Occasional bursts of scat singing show she can still do jazz, and perhaps indicate nervousness concerning her change of direction. Her affection for these Sondheim songs seems genuine. Underneath her frothy French persona, Aimée is a tough cookie who will undoubtedly weather the storm should the rest of the world not share her enthusiasm. ~ Chris Mosey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/move-on-a-sondheim-adventure-cyrille-aimee-mack-avenue-records-review-by-chris-mosey.php

Personnel: Cyrille Aimée: vocals; Assaf Gleizner, Thomas Enhco: keyboards; Jeremy Bruyere: bass; Yoann Serra: drums; Abraham Mansfaroll: percussion; Rubin Kodhelj: cello; Adrien Moignard, Ralph Lavita, Diego Figueredo, Sebastien Giniaux: guitar; Rubin Kodhelj: guitar and cello; Warren Walker, Bill Todd: tenor saxophone; Maxime Berton: soprano saxophone; Patricia Bartley: alto saxophone; Wayne Tucker: trumpet; Mathias Levy, Fung Chern Hwej, Gregor Huebner: violin; Julie Goodale: viola.

Move On: A Sondheim Adventure

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Cyrille Aimée - Live

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:48
Size: 136,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:31)  1. It's A Good Day
(5:55)  2. Nuit Blanche
(6:12)  3. Si Tu Vois Ma Mère
(8:08)  4. Live Alone And Like It
(4:51)  5. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
(5:11)  6. Off The Wall
(3:56)  7. Day By Day
(7:49)  8. It's Over Now (Well, You Needn't)
(4:13)  9. Three Little Words
(6:57) 10. Each Day

The end of one chapter means the beginning of another. Like all the best cliffhangers, Cyrille Aimée Live leaves the audience wanting more…but also eager to discover what comes next. Recorded at a typically lively and engaging performance at New York City’s (Le) Poisson Rouge in August 2017, the album finds the acclaimed vocalist bidding a fond adieu to her long-standing band and looking forward to a brand-new phase in her life and career. The August performance marked the band’s final show together, saying goodbye to this configuration of Aimée’s band while welcoming a new chapter of creative output. http://www.newreleasesnow.com/album/cyrille-aimee--cyrille-aime-live

Live

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Cyrille Aimee, Diego Figueiredo - Smile

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:53
Size: 95.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:24] 1. We'll Be Together Again
[3:09] 2. Chega De Saudade
[4:58] 3. Que Reste-T'il
[2:39] 4. Good Morning Cowboy
[4:30] 5. A Felicidade
[3:32] 6. A Night In Tunisia
[3:41] 7. La Vie En Rose
[2:41] 8. Journey Of Life
[5:01] 9. Dindi
[1:58] 10. Yardbird Suite
[3:18] 11. Smile
[2:57] 12. Old Devil Moon

Cyrille Aimée: vocals; Diego Figueiredo: acoustic guitar. Recorded in Brazil on September 2009.

Improvisation is not just a technique for Cyrille Aimée, it’s a way of life. The acclaimed vocalist ventured from singing on street corners in Europe to dazzling audiences at the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals; from sneaking out to sing in gypsy encampments in her native France to acting on Broadway; from braving the notoriously tough audiences at New York’s Apollo Theatre to being called a “rising star in the galaxy of jazz singers” by the New York Times. Among countless accolades, Aimée won the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition and the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her most recent album, Let’s Get Lost, is her second with her innovative two-guitar line-up. As an actress, Aimée co-starred with Bernadette Peters in a Stephen Sondheim tribute at New York’s City Center. She’s shared her story via master classes, a TEDx talk, and an address at the Conference on World Affairs.

By opening herself to the whim of the moment, Aimée has ventured from singing on street corners in Europe to dazzling audiences at some of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals; from sneaking out to sing in gypsy encampments in her native France to acting on Broadway; from braving the notoriously tough audiences at New York’s Apollo Theatre to being hailed by The Wall Street Journal as "one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation" and called a “rising star in the galaxy of jazz singers” by the New York Times.

“In my case,” Aimée told a rapt audience at her 2015 TEDx Talk, “it’s more of a human adventure than a musical vocation that made me want to devote my life to this practice.” That adventure began in the small town of Samois-sur-Seine in France, where the young Cyrille Aimée (Sur-real M-A) was introduced to a wealth of diverse music by her French father and Dominican mother: everything from Michael Jackson to French chanson, Flamenco to country-western. She and her sister would dance around the living room, instilling a gleeful abandon and warm groove that still shine through her music to this day.

Aimée’s passion for music and inherent curiosity led her to a discovery that would change her life. As the site of the annual Django Reinhardt Festival, Samois played host to an annual gathering of gypsies, and their fireside sing-alongs would lure the precocious Cyrille out of her bedroom window after her parents had gone to sleep. Those experiences exposed Aimée not just to the joys of gypsy jazz, which would go on to be an important color in her rich palette of influences, but more importantly to the gypsies’ spontaneous, nomadic and music-filled way of life.

Smile

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Diego Figueiredo - Tempos Bons

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:02
Size: 153.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Latin rhythms
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[ 5:07] 1. Na Baixa Do Sapateiro
[ 2:30] 2. El Colibri
[ 4:25] 3. Spain
[ 4:51] 4. Que Reste-T-Il
[10:42] 5. Retratos Do Nordeste
[ 3:33] 6. Carinhoso
[ 2:57] 7. Old Devil Moon
[ 5:43] 8. Granada
[ 4:19] 9. Wave
[ 6:16] 10. Lamentos Do Morro
[ 5:02] 11. Dindi
[ 4:06] 12. Round Midnight
[ 1:58] 13. Las Abejas
[ 5:27] 14. Stella By Starlight

At only 29, Brazilian Diego Figueiredo is already considered one of the world’s great guitarists. His story is that of the child prodigy who was first photographed with a guitar at the age of four. At six he received a mandolin, and he went through a succession of various other instruments, before settling down with the guitar at twelve. Soon he was performing locally, and his improvisational and har- monic talent was apparent even at this early stage. At fifteen he was playing in small concert halls and nightclubs either alone or with others. While performing with various Brazilian bands, he was also studying classical guitar and popular Brazilian music and jazz at the conservatory in his hometown Franka and in Ribeirão Preto and Tatuí. He won his first prize at a contest in South America and received a grant to study at Berklee College of Music. In 2001 Diego Figueiredo received the Visa Award for his performance of “instrumental Brazilian popular music”; and the shower of honors on this modest, but giant talent has never ceased – the first prize at Montreux Jazz Competition is but one example.

These days Diego is accompanist to vocalist and composer Belchior on tours of Brazil and abroad. He has played with Hermeto Pascoal, Sebastião Tapajos, Osvaldo Montenegro, Jair Rodrigues, Toquinho Horta, Tunai, Paulinho da Viola, Moraes Moreira, Fafa de Belém, Amelinha, Zeca Baleiro and other prominent Brazilian musicians. But he is also known outside South America, and he tours most of the world as a soloist. He is famous for his technique as well as his sensitive interpretations of South American, classical and jazz music. He is often compared with Baden Powell, Helio Delmiro and Joe Pass. After hearing his set at the Montreux Jazz Festival, George Benson exclaimed, “Diego is the best guitarist I’ve ever heard!” Pat Metheny was equally impressed, and spoke of magic moments. Next time he visits Brazil, he says he will insist on playing with Diego. Diego has released several albums, including DADAIÔ, recorded in Copenhagen with bassist Rodolfo Stroeter and legendary drum- mer and percussionist Robertinho Silva, and released on Stunt Records. The Danish critic Henrik Palle gave the CD six out of six possible stars, calling it “a lovely dream of a record... enticing and enchantingly show-offish”, tying up his review with the following statement: “contagious joy in portions large enough to make it damn hard to keep a winter depression alive”. His newspaper, Politiken, placed DADAIÔ among the year’s ten best albums.

With TEMPOS BONS, Stunt Records continues its collaboration with Diego Figueiredo. The compilation includes solo guitar selections recorded in Brazil, a trio recording, and three songs with the charming French vocalist Cyrille Aimée, with whom Diego has celebrated long, triumphant American tours. The repertoire on this compilation is varied: the Brazilian mainstay is spiced with a few jazz standards and a wonderful French song, originally made famous by Charles Trenet. Enjoy the good times – TEMPOS BONS – with Diego. Sensitive and lyrical musical postcards from genuine and imagined landscapes, where melody and rhythm go hand in hand with youthful creative prowess in joyous and sensual music.

Tempos Bons

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Cyrille Aimée - Let's Get Lost

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:38
Size: 105,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:36)  1. Live Alone and Like It
(3:47)  2. There's a Lull in My Life
(3:20)  3. Estrellitas y Duendes
(4:52)  4. Lazy Afternoon
(2:32)  5. Three Little Words
(3:19)  6. T'es Beau tu Sais
(2:35)  7. Let's Get Lost
(4:20)  8. Samois a Moi
(2:52)  9. Nine More Minutes
(2:20) 10. Laverne Walk
(2:38) 11. That Old Feeling
(3:26) 12. Each Day
(3:41) 13. Words
(3:14) 14. Well You Needn't (Bonus Track)

'Let's Get Lost', Cyrille Aimée's second album for Mack Avenue Records brings to light a different side of the radiant singer. After two years of dazzling audiences around the world with the joyful repertoire of 'It's a Good Day', Aimée reflects on her musical and personal growth, telling us the story of a nascent love coming to full bloom. Accompanied by two guitar wunderkinds, Adrien Moignard and Michael Valeanu, as well as an Australian rhythm section (consisting of bassist Sam Anning and drummer Raj Jayaweera) so tight-knit that they are almost the same person, she adds pensive touches to her usual zest and reveals a bittersweet depth that will have listeners daydreaming for a while. 'Let's Get Lost' speaks of love in three different languages, wide ranging references, oldies and odd metered originals, yet it retains a distinct identity, like summer grass freckled with late afternoon sun. Aimée and her band weave confidently from one musical region to the next, and Valeanu's guitar arrangements always underscore the meaning of every word in uncontrived and subtle fashion.   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Get-Lost-Cyrille-Aim%C3%A9e/dp/B0188EOGU4

Let's Get Lost

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Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo - Just the Two of Us

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:03
Size: 110,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. Sunny Days
(4:54)  2. Tea for Two
(3:32)  3. Samois a Moi
(5:11)  4. Willow Weep for Me
(5:01)  5. Just the Two of Us
(3:42)  6. Invitation
(3:16)  7. Midnight Sun
(5:21)  8. Morena Boca de Ouro
(2:18)  9. Je Suis Seule Ce Soir
(4:03) 10. Dos Gardenias
(2:42) 11. Paper Moon
(3:49) 12. Samba em Preludio

Cyrille Aimée (pronounced Surreal M – A ) has proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz and pop music. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has done nothing short of receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice.

Cyrille Aimée was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition of 2010, performing in front of a jury of Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater. In 2007, Cyrille won both the first and public prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition. Cyrille Aimée (pronounced Surreal M – A) has proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz and pop music. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has done nothing short of receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice. Cyrille’s discography and musical history is an impressive list for any musician, jazz or otherwise. At the young age of 26, she has already released four CDs internationally, including “Cyrille Aimée & The Surreal Band” and “Smile” with Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo. The Japanese label Venus Records has just released Cyrille and Diego’s latest duo album “Just the Two of us” this past November, 2010. Cyrille Aimée has been featured on compilations, feature film soundtracks across the globe and on the albums of Denis Chang and David Reinhardt. She fronted France’s latest worldwide sensation ‘Caravan Palace’ on their European tour and performed in front of crowds that number over 10,000 people.Her latest record “Cyrille Aimée & friends Live at Smalls” features Roy Hargrove and Joel Frahm and is released under the label SmallsLIVE.

Diego Figueiredo was born in Franca, Brazil, in 1980, and at the age of 4, he used to strike poses carrying his small guitar. At six, he got a mandolin, which was kept in a very special place in his house. Diego played many instruments before choosing the electric guitar when he was twelve, playing in theaters and local pubs, revealing the great art of improvising and harmonizing. At 15, he conquered theaters and nightclubs in many different Brazilian states, playing solo or with renowned musicians.He has studied classical guitar, Brazilian Popular Music and jazz in conservatories in Franca, Ribeirão Preto and Tatuí.

In 1999, he won first place in a contest in South America ,  he was awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music. He has played and shared the stage with , Hermeto Paschoal, Geraldo Azevedo, Sebastião Tapajós, Demônios da Garoa, Vanusa, Renato Borghetti, Osvaldo Montenegro, Jair Rodrigues, Elomar, Toquinho, Tunai, Paulinho da Viola, Nando Cordel,  Moraes Moreira, Fafá de Belém, Amelinha, Los Hermanos, Zeca Baleiro, Miyazawa and others. http://pdxjazz.com/cyrille-aimee

Just the Two of Us

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Cyrille Aimée - It's a Good Day

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:03
Size: 99,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. Where or When
(2:28)  2. It's a Good Day
(3:51)  3. Bamboo Shoots
(3:20)  4. Twenty-Eight
(3:16)  5. Caravan
(4:11)  6. Nuit Blanche
(3:30)  7. Young at Heart
(3:03)  8. Off the Wall
(2:33)  9. Love Me or Leave Me
(4:59) 10. One Way Ticket
(3:32) 11. Pourtant
(3:03) 12. All Love
(2:25) 13. Tricotism

It's A Good Day is the major label debut by the widely acclaimed young jazz singer Cyrille Aimée-yet another step forward for the rapidly rising vocalist. Winner of both the Montreux Jazz Festival's Vocal Competition and the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, Aimée explores a range of musical styles, eras, continents and moods on It's A Good Day (Mack Avenue) with a singular voice on inventive arrangements, produced by Fabrice DuPont (Shakira, Jennifer Lopez). Aimée's musical outlook is reflected in an emphasis on the guitar, an instrument with an indigenous form in nearly every culture of the world-and it was the sound of the gypsy guitar that inspired Aimée to become a musician. While growing up in Samois-sur-Seine, Aimée snuck out of her home to the nearby gypsy encampments and was mesmerized by the music of those who followed the spirit of Django Reinhardt, revered as one of the world's most influential guitarists. Aimée-who as a child also lived in Paris, Cameroon, Singapore and the Dominican Republic-later became fascinated with Brazilian guitar, and her music reveals a thorough understanding of bossa nova and samba idioms. 

She has now settled in Brooklyn, where she continues to absorb the inner workings of American jazz and the culture of the music's homeland. The musical accompaniment on It's A Good Day is as novel as Aimée herself: three guitars (Jazz, Gypsy and Brazilian) with bass and drums. This captivating multi-guitar sound is provided by her close collaborator, Michael Valeanu, a player of French and Italian extraction on a contemporary jazz-style electric guitar; her countryman Adrien Moignard on the steel-string guitar gypsies favor due to its piercing, staccato sound; and the Brazilian guitarist Guilherme Mont eiro, who relies on a nylon-stringed instrument which provides the bossa nova its soft and undulating sensuous sound. Thoughtful arrangements of the thirteen songs-both standards and originals-ensure a sumptuous musical blend. "We worked hard to create a road map for each guitar to make the sound beautiful and exciting-without creating a musical traffic jam," explains Aimée. The flexible and fluid rhythm section of bassist Sam Anning and drummer Rajiv Jayaweera holds it all together. Opening the album are two standards, an engaging version of Rodgers and Hart's "Where Or When," and the upbeat title track, "It's A Good Day," made famous by Peggy Lee. "Bamboo Shoots," an alluring original by Anning, somehow manages to sound gypsy, Hawaiian and pop-all at the same time. In the same vein, her arrangement of "Love Me Or Leave Me" has an original multi-cultural spin. "I was inspired to do a version of 'Love Me Or Leave Me' after hearing Nina Simone's recording," recalls Aimée, "and then I found the Billie Holiday version, and was further inspired." Seamlessly added to the mix are covers of Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" and Duke Ellington's "Caravan." "Caravan was one of the first songs I ever learned," says Aimée, "and it was time to inject some fiery gypsy soul into it." 

That frame of mind found it to "Pourtant," a French pop song that was a hit for Vanessa Paradis, as well as "All Love," which began as an instrumental composition by the late guitarist Babik Reinhardt, the son of the legendary Django. "I heard this beautiful melody so many times, but when they played it at Babik's funeral, I asked for permission to put a lyric to it." It's A Good Day also features catchy original compositions by Aimée. Featured are "One Way Ticket"-the result of a trip to India, "Twenty-Eight" and "Nuit Blanche" ("White Night"), a French expression that refers to an inability to sleep while brooding over lost love. Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" is the zesty closer-almost an encore. How better to feature bassist Anning than in a jazz classic by one of the founding fathers of the modern jazz bass? Cyrille Aimée is an artist of many facets. Infused by a novel blend of multicultural influences, a vision for a unique sound and with a voice that is sublime, It's A Good Day makes for a great day for a wide array of lovers of music.  

http://www.criticaljazz.com/2014/06/cyrille-aimee-its-good-day-coming-81914.html

It's a Good Day

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Cyrille Aimee - Cyrille Aimee & The Surreal Band

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:53
Size: 125.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:23] 1. This Can't Be Love
[4:08] 2. The More I See You
[6:01] 3. I'll Remember April
[5:29] 4. As Long As You're Living
[4:26] 5. How Deep Is The Ocean
[4:19] 6. Indifference
[8:00] 7. Que Pasa
[4:50] 8. Sunny
[5:41] 9. I'm Through With Love
[5:00] 10. Sometimes I'm Happy
[3:30] 11. Twenty Eight

Winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival's International Vocal Competition, the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and finalist in the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition, French vocalist Cyrille Aimée is—in the words of Will Friedwald of The Wall Street Journal—"one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation." In the same Wall Street Journal feature on Cyrille (and vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant), Friedwald declared "Both are astonishing creative singers, with a brilliant sound, fresh ideas, impeccable rhythm and an overall approach that honors tradition without being shackled to the past."

Cyrille was born in Fontainebleau, France, to a French father and Dominican mother. Her introduction to jazz was the result of the fortuitous location of her upbringing, the village Samois-sur-Seine—the same place where the legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt once lived. For decades gypsies from throughout Europe have descended upon Samois every June, setting up caravans in nearby meadows for the annual Django Reinhardt Festival. Many years ago, a young, curious Cyrille wandered (unbeknownst to her parents) into the encampments and fell in love with the gypsies’ music and way of life. She would climb out her bedroom window at night and spend evenings in their quarters, learned their language and sang by the fire with Django's descendants—before returning home prior to sunrise and school. "I was hypnotized by this music which made me want to tap my feet," said Cyrille. "Swinging music makes me so happy."

As a teenager, Cyrille performed in various Parisian cafés and clubs. When her family moved to Singapore, she remained in Paris to attend the American School of Modern Music. She also auditioned for "Star Academy," the French version of "American Idol." Selected to be one of 16 semi-finalists, Cyrille had second thoughts when she was handed a contract that tied her up every which way for ten years—including what she would sing. This was too much for her gypsy and jazz spirit to accept—so she quit. The French media so pursued Cyrille, she sought refuge in her mother's homeland—the Dominican Republic.

Cyrille Aimée's hybrid of influences has resulted in a sound that's fresh and enlivening. In addition, her distinctive voice—which did not escape the attentions of Stephen Sondheim, who cast Cyrille in an Encores! Special Event at New York City's City Center in November 2013—is guaranteed to enthrall. If the notion of joy factors into a concertgoer’s equation, Cyrille's concerts—whether with her band, an orchestra or in a duo setting—are not to be missed.

Cyrille Aimee & The Surreal Band

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Curtis Stigers - Hooray For Love

Size: 91,8 MB
Time: 39:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Vocal Jazz Pop
Art: Front

01. Love Is Here To Stay (4:19)
02. Valentine’s Day (3:41)
03. You Make Me Feel So Young (With Cyrille Aimee) (4:32)
04. Hooray For Love (2:45)
05. The Way You Look Tonight (4:51)
06. Give Your Heart To Me (3:51)
07. That’s All (3:44)
08. A Matter Of Time (2:53)
09. If I Were A Bell (3:13)
10. You Don’t Know What Love Is (5:20)

A one-time adult contemporary star -- his 1991 eponymous debut was produced by Glen Ballard and, not long afterward, he made Nick Lowe a millionaire thanks to his cover of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding" on The Bodyguard soundtrack -- Curtis Stigers long ago established himself as a skilled jazz singer and his 2014 set, Hooray for Love, is perhaps his most traditional record yet. Light on originals -- the title track and "Give Your Heart to Me" are the only tunes that bear his credits -- and also skimpy on the kinds of unexpected covers that distinguished his new millennial records (only Steve Earle's "Valentine's Day" fits that bill), Hooray for Love is anchored on the songs that everybody knows and loves: "You Make Me Feel So Young," performed here as a duet with Cyrille Aimee, "The Way You Look Tonight," "A Matter of Time," and "If I Were a Bell." As recognizable as these songs are, Stigers doesn't seem stifled by their reputation. The intimate setting -- featuring no more than pianist Matthew Fries, guitarist Matt Munisteri, bassist Cliff Schmitt, drummer Keith Hall, and trumpeter John "Scrapper" Sneider, who also produces -- allows Stigers to be limber and he's also happy to fade into the background and let his band just play. This looseness is what keeps Hooray for Love so engaging: Stigers isn't simply enjoying singing, he's enjoying playing with his band. ~Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Hooray For Love

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Cyrille Aimée & The Surreal Band - Live At Birdland

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@VBR ~148K/s
Time: 61:26
Size: 66,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:34)  1. The Lamp Is Low
(7:46)  2. A Dream Is A Wish
(7:46)  3. Caravan
(5:39)  4. Blue Skies
(6:42)  5. Darn That Dream
(5:21)  6. Well You Needn't
(7:16)  7. You And The Night And The Music
(4:20)  8. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
(6:18)  9. Nuit Blanche
(6:39) 10. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

Cyrille Aimée has consistently proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille's vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has done nothing short of receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice. Cyrille mastered the art of improvisation while studying at the well known conservatory of jazz at SUNY Purchase, with teachers such as Pete Malinverni, Jon Faddis and Jimmy Greene. Cyrille Aimée was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition of 2010, performing in front of a jury of Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater... In 2007, Cyrille won both the first and public prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition. Cyrille's discography and musical history is an impressive list for any musician, jazz or otherwise. At the young age of 26, she has already released three CDs internationally, including “Cyrille Aimée & The Surreal Band” and “Smile” with Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo currently on iTunes. 

The Japanese label Venus Records has just released Cyrille and Diego’s latest duo album “Just the Two of us” this past November. Cyrille Aimée has been featured on compilations, feature film soundtracks across the globe and on the albums of Denis Chang and David Reinhardt. She fronted France's latest worldwide sensation 'Caravan Palace' on their European tour and performed in front of crowds that number over 10,000 people. Cyrille currently lives in Brooklyn and regularly performs in Manhattan with legends of the East Coast jazz scene. She can be found any given day in the historic jazz clubs of NYC, including Joe’s Pub and Dizzy's Club, with musicians like Steve Davis, Spike Wilner, Tom Kennedy and Anat Cohen among many others. Her latest record “Cyrille Aimée & friends Live at Smalls” features Roy Hargrove and Joel Frahm and is released under the label SmallsLIVE.  http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=20226#.U0Bi0VdSvro

Live At Birdland

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Chicago Jazz Orchestra - Burstin' Out! (feat. Cyrille Aimée)

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2013

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 57:45

Size: 131,8 MB

Scans: Front

(2:41)  1. What a Little Moonlight Can Do

(5:33)  2. September in the Rain

(4:39)  3. A Night in Tunisia

(4:49)  4. Sometimes I'm Happy

(5:33)  5. Dindi

(3:25)  6. Yardbird Suite

(4:42)  7. Easy Living

(3:18)  8. Cheek to Cheek

(7:18)  9. Long as You're Living

(5:34) 10. Them There Eyes

(5:35) 11. I'm Through with Love

(4:20) 12. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Covering the Great American Songbook can be tricky, thankless work for a singer. The options for handling the material just aren't as numerous (i.e., nigh infinite) as they are for instrumentalists. Severely warping a melody, chopping it up or getting rid of it altogether work perfectly well if you're blowing through a horn. But such abstractions of voice can seem forced or simply too weird within a straight-ahead format. There's scatting, of course, and other forms of nonverbal vocalization, but they rarely score on the same level as instrumental solos, and they can turn stale or quaint-sounding pretty quickly.

Enter Cyrille Aimee. Over the course of the last several years, the French singer has established herself as one of the more innovative interpreters of this music. Her sound is classic, tinged with the exotic. Her vocals thrill with technical proficiency, yet don't lack emotional nuance. Yes, she scats (quite a bit, actually), but as a natural and very instrumental extension of her verbal singing. All her skills are on display here, allowing her to mix exceedingly well with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra . It's notable that track particulars list Aimée as a soloist like any other in the band. For while she certainly has a more prominent position in these performances than singers often did in the heyday of big band music, where they might come in for a verse or two at the end after the big-gun instrumentalists had had their say, this album is by no means simply an Aimée vehicle with CJO assigned to the boiler room. Through both its orchestrated sections and plentiful solo statements (pianist Dan Trudell is a particular standout) the band plays just as prominent a role as Aimée.

As the album's title suggests, the performances tend toward big, brash swing. Many of the arrangements come from the band's artistic director, Jeff Lindberg, though other band members lend a hand as well. Still other arrangements are adapted from the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Fans of Frank Sinatra's work with Antonio Carlos Jobim will be intrigued or distracted perhaps both by Lindberg's faithful use of Claus Ogerman's arrangement of "Dindi."

Aimée has recorded a handful of these songs before, albeit in smaller settings. And her approach certainly changes to adapt to the grander backing, her style a bit less free, more refined, with even some of her scatting dialed back to play as but another instrument in orchestrated section pieces. Again, group sound is emphasized over the individual. And all in all, CJO and Aimée have produced a compelling, highly enjoyable record a testament, of sorts, to the continuing power of straight-ahead big band jazz in the contemporary music world.~ Matt Marshall

 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=45453#.UlHFShDNn8o

Personnel: Jeff Lindberg: artistic director, conductor; Charley Harrison: associate artistic director; Cyrille Aimée: vocals; John Wojciechowski: alto sax, flute; Bill Overton: alto sax; Scott Burns: tenor sax; Eric Schneider: tenor sax; Jerry DiMuzio: baritone sax, flute, alto flute; Danny Barber, Doug Scharf, Marquis Hill, Art Davis, Victor Garcia: trumpet, flugelhorn; Scott Bentall, Tom Garling, Kendall Moore, Andy Baker: trombone; Michael Young: bass trombone; Dan Trudell: piano, Fender Rhodes; Dennis Carroll: bass; George Fludas: drums; Charley Harrison: guitar; Lisha McDuff: flute, alto flute; Darlene Drew: flute, alto flute; Janice MacDonald: flute; Lyon Leifer: flute; Daniel Won: clarinet, bass clarinet; Jennifer Cappelli, Eugene Pazin: violin, co- concertmasters; Bernardo Arias, Karl Davies, Pauli Ewing, Roberta Freier, Katherine Hughes, Whun Kim, Betty Lewis, Carmen Llop Kassinger, James Sanders, Paul Zafer: violin; Patrick Brennan, Matthew Mantell, Cheryl Wilson: viola; Barbara Haffner, William Cernota, Jocelyn Davis-Beck, Edward Moore: violoncello; Robert Kassinger: double bass; Marcia Labella: harp; Steve Ramsdell: acoustic guitar; Rubén Alvarez: bongos, shaker.

Burstin' Out!

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