Cynthia Nan Sayer (born May 20, 1962) is an American jazz banjoist, singer and a founding member of Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band.
Cynthia Sayer | |
|---|---|
 Sketch at Jazz in Marciac festival, France | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 20, 1962 Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Banjo, vocals |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Jazzology |
| Website | www |
Career
editA native of Waltham, Massachusetts, Sayer spent her early childhood in Wayland, Massachusetts and the remainder of her youth in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.[1] She played piano from the age of six through her college years and also studied viola, drums, guitar, and banjo.[2] She graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2016.[3] She sang in school and community theater and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ithaca College with a degree in English.[2] Sayer has worked with Woody Allen, Milt Hinton, Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Segal, Dick Wellstood, the New York Philharmonic, and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.[2]
Award and honors
edit- National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame, 2006
- Steve Martin Banjo Prize, 2023
Discography
edit- The Jazz Banjo of Cynthia Sayer Vol. 1 (New York Jazz, 1987)
- More Jazz Banjo Vol. 2 (New York Jazz, 1989)
- Forward Moves (Yerba Buena, 1992)
- Jazz at Home (Jazzology, 1997)
- String Swing (Jazzology, 2000)
- Souvenirs (Plunk, 2002)
- Attractions with Bucky Pizzarelli (Plunk, 2007)
- Joyride (Plunk, 2013)
With the New York Banjo Ensemble
- Plays Gershwin (Kicking Mule, 1982)
As guest
edit- Woody Allen, Wild Man Blues (RCA Victor, 1998)
- Peter Ecklund, Strings Attached (Arbors, 1996)
- Tony Trischka, World Turning (Rounder, 1995)
- Terry Waldo, Let It Shine (Stomp Off, 2003)
Books
edit- You're IN The Band' (Cynthia Sayer Music, 2016)
- The Swinging Solos Of Elmer Snowden' (Cynthia Sayer Music, 2021)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Kanzler, George. "Cynthia Sayer brings friends and banjo to Zinno.", The Star-Ledger, April 24, 1998, p. 32. "When she was growing up in Scotch Plains in the '60s and '70s, Cynthia Sayer wanted to be a big- band drummer."
- ^ a b c Yanow, Scott (2008). The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide. Backbeat. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-87930-825-4.
- ^ Conklin, Sean. "Scenes from 2016 Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Hall of Fame Induction", TAPinto.net, November 16, 2016. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Cynthia Sayer, Class of 1974, an international jazz banjoist, vocalist, concert and recording artist and entertainer who performed at the White House."
Sources
edit- The Mississippi Rag, "Cynthia Sayer, Banjoist from the Big Apple", by George A. Borgman, June 1994.