Artist description Cassandre McKinley has quickly become known in the Boston area as a Jazz Vocalist who "appeals to all the senses". Her sound is soulful, intimate and expressive and that, coupled with a natural and comfortable presence, allows her to reach out with an honest and personal touch. Her experience, training and powerful vocal ability has her exhibiting improvisational skills with ease and articulating each dynamic tone with agility and finesse.

Music Style Jazz, Vocals

Musical Influences Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn

Similar Artists Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn

Artist History Having quickly become known as a jazz singer that "appeals to all the senses", Cassandre McKinley is reaching out to audiences with an expressive and intimate sound unlike any other singer today. She was named as one of Boston's Jazz "Divas" in Arts Around Boston Magazine (Sept. 1999), was named one of the top female artists of 2000 by Femmusic.com, has been reviewed in industry magazines and on the world wide web (Jazz Improv Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, AllMusicGuide.com and Peoplesound.com), and was recently awarded for Best Jazz Act in the 2001Worcester Phoenix Best Of Music Poll. She appears in New England's leading jazz venues - Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Chan's Jazz Club and The Gatehouse in Rhode Island, The Savannah in Hartford and appears regularly at The Intermezzo located at Foxwoods Casino and Resort. Cassandre has also been featured in articles in every major city newspaper in New England including The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Providence Journal and The Hartford Courant and can be heard on mostly every jazz program in and around those cities. Born in 1969 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Cassandre grew up a "tomboy" spending a majority of her time with three older brothers. A natural talent from early on, she spent the better part of her childhood exhibiting her abilities through song and dance and showed an overwhelming determination to pursue the arts. In a junior high school performance of the musical "Coming Of Age", Cass was given the role of "Dee Dee" and was asked to sing in the first act. It was during this performance that everyone first caught a glimpse of her hidden talent. Suddenly basking in attention, she caught the "bug" and dove into it head first! At 13, she joined a successful dance company where she fine tuned her talents and at 14, found an agent and went on to appear in commercials and musical productions in New York and Boston as a "triple threat" - singer, dancer, and actress. She also studying with esteemed vocal coach Beatrice Dobelle and attended The Boston Conservatory of Music where Beatrice was a vocal teacher. This allowed the two to continue their work together as colleagues and friends. After college, Cassandre gained a lion's share of experience making guest appearances in the Boston area that which included a special performance at The House of Blues in Cambridge where, at that time, she was a cocktail waitress making tips and taking "showbiz" advice from the established artists that where appearing there. She spent much of her free time learning material and jumped in where she could singing with various musical groups. Taking odd jobs in the studio recording voice-overs for commercials and industrials ???????and soon, became recognized as a vocalist with strengths in all genres and styles - R&B, Pop, Soul, Rock, Funk, Big Band, Country, Lyrical and Jazz - and all exceptionally well. At one point, it had become clear to Cassandre, and the faithful fans that watched her grow, that jazz was not just something she did well - it went much deeper. The word "improvisation" became her inspiration - and it was all improvisation - from the jazz giants to the Big Band crooners to the R&B icons. Miles Davis, Louie Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Ella, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson - even Elvis - all took part in creating the definition of "improvisation". In the process of absorbing all the offerings, Cassandre developed her own sound - taking bits and pieces from all of these artists and creating a "soulful and sophisticated" blend - truly distinctive. With jazz as her primary focus, she has, in only a few years time, emerged as one of today's most impressive and "swinging" young jazz singers - and all along she possessed the essential ingredients necessary to smooth the way - a unique and natural style, impeccable timing and a creative and spontaneous approach to the lyric. The way in which this gorgeous young singer delivers the goods in concert is the icing on the cake!

Group Members Cassandre McKinley-Vocals;__ Personnel On "Stay The Night" = Herb Pomeroy-Trumpet, Ben Cook-Piano, Marty Richards-Drums, Dave Landoni-Bass;... Personnel on "Right In Front of You" = Dick Johnson-Alto sax, Clarinet, Flute: Gary Johnson-Drums: Michael Cardoza-Piano, Thomas Hebb-Bass: Eric Bindman-Violin, Phil Person-Trumpet, Bela Sarkozy-Guitar: Harvey "hands" Brower-Percussion

Instruments voice, piano, bass drums, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, violin

Albums Stay The Night (2000) Right In Front Of You (1999)

Press Reviews "Cassandre McKinley has a light trill, easy vibrato, and a voice that seems to giggle. A veritable coquette - we haven't heard that style in decades. The songs also ring of long ago, and most she wrote herself. Internal rhymes, plot twists, all the good stuff, plus a romanticism that only works with a voice like this. And it doesn't stop there: her band is loaded, from top Boston area talent (Jon Wheatley, Thomas Hebb) to Dick Johnson, current leader of the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Their sound embraces her, and she caresses your ears. It's a mood you can't refuse, and you wouldn't want to." By: John Barret, Jr., Jazz Improv Magazine ..." Ms. McKinley has a wonderful, intimate and swinging style. To top it off, the musicianship is hard to beat..."By: Richard Bourcier, Jazzreview.com

Location Boston, MA - USA

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