10 things to know about Cécile McLorin Salvant

Here’s our list of why you won’t want to miss Cécile McLorin Salvant’s upcoming performance:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 / 7:30 PM
LOEB PLAYHOUSE
FROM $20

1. She has a diverse background.

Cécile was born to a French mother and Haitian father in Miami, Florida. She started studies in classical piano at the age of 5 and at 8 had begun to sing with the Miami Choral Society.

2. Cécile is a talented artist and features her work on her Instagram account!

https://instagram.com/p/6wzQe2HrKu/?taken-by=cecilemclorinsalvant

3. Her repertoire is as diverse as it gets.

According to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, “Salvant’s broad repertoire includes unique interpretations of lesser-known jazz and blues songs, as well as standards and her original compositions.”

4. In addition to a spectacular voice, Cécile has a killer fashion sense.

5. Some of jazz’s greats are being given new life through her.

Said Stephen Holden of the New York Times, “if anyone can extend the lineage of the Big Three – Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald – it is this virtuoso.”

6. Salvant isn’t afraid to tackle tough issues.

“[She] is also a product of her generation and its ongoing concerns with race, identity and gender politics. But where most vocalists – particularly in jazz – avoid such sticky subjects, Salvant glories in intellectual confrontations and stylistic contradictions,” said Ken Micallef of DownBeat.”

7. Her albums showcase both covers and original songs.

2013’s Womanchild, which was also her U.S. debut album, featured original songs as well as covers of Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Bert Williams and more.

8. She’s been nominated for a Grammy® award.

Womanchild was nominated for “Best Jazz Vocal Album” in 2014.

9. She won in four different categories in the 2014 DownBeat critics poll.

Her wins included “Jazz Album of the Year,” and “Rising Star-Jazz Artist.”

10. Her latest release, For One to Love, was met with critical acclaim.

NPR‘s Patrick Jarenwattananon has stated, “Salvant possesses the sort of intuition that promises to kill in a live setting; she’s studied these songs and how to embody them under any circumstance. In a word, that’s talent. Jazz singing or no, that sort of thing will out.”

Don’t miss Cécile McLorin Salvant’s performance on Thursday, October 22!

Cécile McLorin Salvant

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 / 7:30 PM
LOEB PLAYHOUSE
FROM $20