Cécile McLorin Salvant captivates Valentine’s Day audience at Bing

This Valentine’s Day, Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall was graced by the presence of singer Cecile McLorin Salvant, whose unique talent is resurrecting the art of jazz in the 21st century. Announced from the stage, Salvant presented a program that refreshingly broke from the traditional collection of love songs expected on this day. Spanning genres, eras and emotions, Salvant sang jazz standards like “I Only Have Eyes for You”, excerpts from musical productions such as the “Step Sister’s Lament” from Cinderella, the soundtrack from a 1928 silent film “Laugh Clown Laugh.” It quickly became clear that one should not attempt to guess what was coming next.

With Salvant, that unpredictability is a hallmark. She began her study of jazz while spending time in the South of France at age 18. She had always sung opera, but jazz? Not until she was stopped in the street by an elderly saxophone player who insisted that she join a jam session he was hosting that evening. This man would become her only jazz teacher. A mere five years later, at age 23, Salvant was the first-prize recipient of the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition. One might think this recognition would render the recipient a pompous diva. The opposite is true with Salvant.

Her humility was palpable from the moment she entered the stage, last in line behind the drummer, pianist, and bassist. She moved slowly, hands clasped across a full-throated red dress, manner unassuming yet elegant. Immediately, it was clear that Salvant was savoring every moment, and the audience followed her lead. She spent the majority of the concert facing away from us. The music moved her, sometimes out of the circle of light, inside which every performer is taught one must stay in order to retain the attention of the audience. But these antiquated rules of success do not apply to Salvant. She is comfortable in that darkness and will leave the light whenever she feels so inclined without being lost from view or forgotten by the audience.

Video: Cécile McLorin Salvant - Haitian Jazz Vocalist First Time Grammy Nominee - The GRAMMYs

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, featured on The GRAMMYs vlog titled 'Cécile McLorin Salvant: First Time Nominee Vlog'

Buy: Cécile McLorin Salvant - Womanchild

Cécile McLorin Salvant nominated for 2014 Grammy Award

Best Jazz Vocal Album
The World According To Andy Bey
Andy Bey

Label: HighNote Records
Attachments
Lorraine Feather

Label: Jazzed Media
Liquid Spirit
Gregory Porter

Label: Blue Note Records
WomanChild
Cécile McLorin Salvant

Label: Mack Avenue Records
After Blue
Tierney Sutton

Label: BFM Jazz

Cécile McLorin Salvant to headline 92Y Jazz in July Festival 2014

The 92Y Jazz in July Festival has announced its 30th anniversary dates, July 21-31. The festival is curated by pianist Bill Charlap, who is marking his 10th anniversary as its artistic director. Among this year’s highlights are a return visit from 92Y Jazz in July founder Dick Hyman for a celebration of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and a first-time appearance by vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, in an evening devoted to Sarah Vaughan.

92Y Jazz in July opens on July 21 with a salute to composer Hoagy Carmichael, in a concert featuring saxophonist Harry Allen, guitarist James Chirillo and vocalist Sandy Stewart. A tribute to Miles Davis featuring trumpeter Jeremy Pelt concludes the first week of the festival on July 23. A tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s musical theater contributions with the Bill Charlap Trio and Brian Lynch (trumpet), Jimmy Greene (tenor sax) and Jon Gordon (alto sax) takes place on July 22.

VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant perform 'I Didn't Know What Time it Was' Live on KCRW's Rhythm Planet

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88vk4h1BjvM[/embedyt]

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, perform 'I Didn't Know What Time it Was' on KCRW's Rhythm Planet at Avatar Studios in New York.

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VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant perform 'John Henry' Live on KCRW's Rhythm Planet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4javSA26M

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, perform 'John Henry' on KCRW's Rhythm Planet at Avatar Studios in New York.

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VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant perform 'WomenChild' Live at Théâtre de la Bordée (October 2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEg7QnpUhyk

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, perform 'WomenChild' Live at Théâtre de la Bordée on October 21, 2013.

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Cécile McLorin Salvant announces tour dates

Singer’s “WomanChild” was one of the top vocal albums of 2013

Vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, whose WomanChild album is one of the success stories of 2013, has announced an extensive tour for 2014. Those dates (see below) will be preceded by several appearances during the remainder of 2013 with the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s holiday tour.

"WomanChild has been nominated for a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy and has won several other awards and polls.

VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant perform 'Baby Have Pity on Me' Live on KCRW's Rhythm Planet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG2EvNOnwUg

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, perform 'Baby Have Pity on Me' on KCRW's Rhythm Planet at Avatar Studios in New York.

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Cécile McLorin Salvant: the Haitian jazz voice of revelation

In the jazz world, Cecile McLorin Salvant is undoubtedly a revelation. Warmly welcomed by Wynton Marsalis, who sings on the occasion, the 24 year old woman has an unusual vocal technique, coupled with a deep knowledge of the jazz tradition. In turn, Quebecers and Montrealers to discover on stage ... and make it a little chat before his arrival.

VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant perform 'Le Front Caché Sur tes Genoux' Live at I'heure du Jazz, RTL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBaeeEg5Xcc

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, performs 'Le Front Caché Sur tes Genoux' live at I'heure du Jazz, RTL.

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VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvan performs Live at Whitley Bay Jazz Festival 2010

A Sailboat in The Moonlight and You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTPMLcsDIo

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, live 'Tribute to Billie Holiday' performance at Whitley Bay Jazz Festival 2010 with Jean-Francois Bonnel and His Band.

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Take it Right Back ft Martin Seck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbPDIgpHfU0

The Mood That i'm in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiF-kHbYBWo

Miss Brown to You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRbdqg6Br94

Haunted House Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIJ9cvM6a3k

I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KsltFLVeec

If Dreams Come True
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=530B3V_-qgQ

VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant - introducing WomanChild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNUD3C73H7w

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian female jazz artist, presents WomanChild.

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VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant performs Live at Dizzy's

Mean to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W0Zy5gwT0U

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, live performance at Dizzy's in NYC.


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I Didn't Know What Time it Was
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G99FfalLFWQ

VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant - The Making of WomanChild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg_Gz9VIpnc

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, takes you around the studio and talks about the concept and creation of her Mack Avenue debut album, WomanChild.


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VIDEO: Cécile McLorin Salvant performs 'Didn't Know What Time it Was' Live at JALC 2012

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, live performance of single titled 'Didn't Know What Time it Was' at JALC 2012.


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INTERVIEW: Cécile McLorin Salvant talks 'WomanChild' on NPR

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, talks 'WomanChild' on NPR.

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When Haitian jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant arrived at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC to compete in the finals of the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, she was not only the youngest finalist, but also a mystery woman with the most unusual background of any of the participants. When she walked away with first place in the jazz ...

INTERVIEW: Cécile McLorin Salvant talks American Songbook on PRI's The World

[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/theworld/c-cile-mclorin-salvants[/soundcloud]

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, talks American Songbook on PRI's The World.

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AUDIO: Cécile McLorin Salvant - Yesterdays (Live)

MUSIC: Cécile McLorin Salvant - Yesterdays (Live)
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/cecilesalvant/yesterdays-live[/soundcloud]

Cécile McLorin Salvant, a Haitian jazz singer, live performance of single titled 'Yesterdays'.

BUY: Cécile McLorin Salvant - Cecile