Cynthia Felton - Freedom Jazz Dance

"From the first ringing notes – "Oh Freedom" of Cynthia Felton's Freedom Jazz Dance session, I was lifted by the life force of her celebration of the common language of jazz, blues and gospel.

Here is Cynthia Felton bringing the impact of her multi-dimensional human voice. And dig the heart-pulse beat – also known as swinging – in all of her storytelling including such too seldom heard originals as Charles Mingus' "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love."

Although this is a singer with a four-octave range, she does not engage in surface pyrotechnics – technical wizardry. Dizzy Gillespie once told me: "It took me years to learn what notes not to play, "Cynthia Felton doesn't flashily pyramid notes. Each sound is part of her inner being.

Her passion led her to found The Ethnomusicology Library of American Heritage where she focuses on that deep heritage that has become a global music transcending barriers of national languages and backgrounds. The intent of the library is "to bring attention to artists and music history that might not be so known."

And Cynthia Felton, as you hear in this session, surely deserves to be much better known. I confess I did not know about her until this recording. Now Cynthia' music has become part of my life.

- Nat Hentoff

At The Jazz Band Ball: Sixty

Years On The Jazz Scene

(University of California Press)

Vocalist Cynthia Felton Releases "Afro Blue – The Music Of Oscar Brown Jr."

With her beautiful voice and alluring style, it's hard to resist Cynthia Felton and her newest release, Afro Blue – The Music of Oscar Brown Jr.. Confident, sensual, and infectiously jazzy, Felton displays her pipe power and music knowledge thoroughly and proudly on every track. A testimonial to its namesake and full of irrepressible swing, Afro Blue goes beyond the status of a cover album and into the realm of undeniable masterpiece.

Felton doesn't wade into the tricky depths of Oscar Brown Jr.'s work alone, though. Dependable jazz legends such as saxophonist Ernie Watts and pianist Cyrus Chestnut accompany the smooth vocalist through her musical journey, adding to the versatility already present in Felton's talent. Together the ensemble delivers richness on every track, from the be-bop buzz and sass of “Mr. Kicks" to the slow, bluesy glow of “When Malindy Sings." Yet Felton is strong enough to excel on her own, too, as her voice takes center stage in the heartfelt “Strong Man." But whether she's belting it out on “Long as You're Living" or calmly crooning along in the title track, the lovely Cynthia knows how to do jazz. And after they get a taste of Afro Blue, critics and fans alike will undoubtedly agree.

In addition to being an accomplished musician, Cynthia Felton currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Ethnomusicology Library of American Heritage. She earned a Master's Degree in jazz from New York University, as well as a Doctorate in jazz from the University of Southern California. Afro Blue serves as a testament of her admiration for Oscar Brown Jr.

Visit Cynthia Felton's official website for more information, including music samples, photos, and tour dates.
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