Miami-born jazz singer-songwriter Cécile McLorin Salvant's voice reminds me of Billie Holiday in her phrasing. In 2010 she won the prestigious first-place award in the International Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition and has been busy with her career since then.

She started studying the piano by age five and by age eight started singing in the choir. She says she was lucky to grow up in a household where different types of music were played. Some of the music played at home was Haitian music, hip-hop, soul, gospel, jazz, and Cuban music. She feels this opened up her mind to the possibilities of integrating different styles of music into her repertoire.  She made her debut in 2010 with her self-titled album, Cécile. She was signed to the independent record label Mack Avenue Records and released her second album, Woman Child which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. Cécile McLorin Salvant’s influences are Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Betty Carter, and Bessie Smith. Those influences are very apparent in her singing. She has released several albums since and just released her new album, Mélusine. I’m completely enamored of her voice and can’t wait for her tour with hopefully some dates here in NYC. Check out this amazing vocal talent and support independent music and musicians. Happy listening!