Meet Cynthia Curtis | Jazz Vocalist.Voice Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Curtis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, how do you think about risk?
Taking a risk has played an important role in my life and career as a musician

The risk I.took was necessary in order to perform music as my full time job and grow as a musician and follow my dreams

I was working an office job from 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday and taking the occasional singing gig

An opportunity to work a 6 nite a week gig came up and I knew I could not work.my day job and the music job

So a decision had to be made which was to quit my day job and pursue more of.a.music career. It was risky as the music job was not guaranteed work and there were no benefits

I worked doing just music.jobs for over 4 years
And in reflection the risk was well worth the reward I got from pursuing a full time musician life
I discovered a love and passion for jazz which continues into the present day
I was able to put more.time in the study of music which allowed.me.to become.a.better musician and learn the bass guitar which I still play

Even though I found other ways to make a living after the 4 years..I still made time for musical gigs.I Always still found ways to continue to follow my dreams and realized I could still perform the music I loved

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a jazz vocalist singing jazz standards from the American Standards Songbook These are songs that have a rich history and have been song by great jazz vocalists for over 100 years

What sets me apart is that I write the original lyrics to many tunes not written with lyrics and perform these locally.It excited me to put my own unique personal spin to these great compositions

I have grown as a singer due to study. Listening to other musicians and performing on thé bandstand over the past 35 years to reach higher levels of expertise

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hang out in rocking chairs at Pelican Grande Ft Lauderdale looking at Ocean Have dinner at a lovely restaraunt along Las Olas Blvd
Go to Broadwalk In a Hollywood Beach. Enjoy lunch at one of the outdoor cafes

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I do want to thank the support of my my husband Mike Curtis. who encouraged my Jazz music playing and education He referred.me to some great teachers and exposed me to an amazing music Jazz

Facebook: Jazzcindi curtis@facebook