The Pace Report: "From a Child, To a Woman" The Cecile McLorin Salvant Interview

One of the most important and impressive vocalists that has entered the scene this decade is Cecile McLorin Salvant. At 24, Miss. Salvant has risen the bar on the new material she's performing from music of the early 1900's to the 1930's. It's her sass and understanding of the great vocalists like Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday that has given her the stature of attention from music fans and critics from all over the world. Cecile's debut Mack Avenue Records release "WomanChild" is destined to reconnect music fans with music from jazz and cultural icons ranging from Fats Waller, comedian Bart Williams to bandleader Valaida Snow. The Miami, Florida native was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition and since then she's performed endlessly where her debut CD, "WomanChild", featuring pianist and accompanist Aaron Diehl, has become a staple on jazz radio over the last couple of months. Over the last couple of years she's gotten a great deal of recogntion by performing with the likes of Wynton Marsails and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and was guest vocalist on pianist Jacky Terrasson's "Gouache" CD. Cecile began to take jazz seriously while she was a student at the Dauris Milhuad Conservatory in Aix-en-Provence, France. It was while in France where she studied the music under Jean-Francois Bonnel. Bonnel taught her what jazz was about and had her listen to vocalists Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, and Billie Holiday. Over the next couple of months Cecile will be embarking on a world wide tour playing some important jazz clubs and festivals in support of "WomanChild." For upcoming club dates or to order her latest disc, please visit her online at cecilemclorinsalvant.com and facebook.com/cecilemclorinsalvantmusic.