[NOTE: Here is a short version and a long version of my music biography for promo purposes.]
Short: 209 words
Inspired by her experience in the Big Apple, Cynthia Mullis plays saxophone with East Coast flair and West Coast sensibility. After moving to New York City in 1993 to study with the legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath, she immersed herself in the NYC jazz scene, paying dues and performing with world-class musicians.
From 1994-2000 she was a member of the all-women big band Diva in NYC. With Diva, she toured extensively across the United States and Europe, backing such artists as Diane Schuur, Joe Williams and Dave Brubeck, and performing at the Blue Note, Birdland, the Kennedy Center, and jazz festivals in Berlin, Montreal, and Switzerland. Cynthia can be heard on two of Diva’s CDs, Leave It to Diva and I Believe in You.
Since moving to Seattle in 2000, Cynthia has continued to perform with a notable list of musicians, as well as record two CDs as a leader, Inside Job and Analog Honking Device. Cynthia was also featured on SWOJO’s recording Meeting of the Waters, and performed with SWOJO at the Lima, Peru Jazz Festival in 2007. Cynthia holds a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance from Queens College in NYC and a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Her website is cynthiamullis.com
Long: 370 words
Inspired by her musical experience in the Big Apple, Cynthia Mullis plays saxophone with East Coast flair and West Coast sensibility. She is a versatile, accomplished musician who leads her own group and is a valued side-person in numerous ensembles. Cynthia performs music that is a creative mix of straight-ahead and post-modern jazz, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian styles, and original compositions. She has recorded two CDs as a leader, Inside Job and Analog Honking Device.
In 1993 Cynthia moved to New York City at the encouragement of Jimmy Heath, and studied jazz improvisation and composition with the legendary saxophonist at Queens College. While completing her studies with Mr. Heath, she immersed herself in the jazz scene of New York City, hitting late night jam sessions, practicing hours a day, and meeting and performing with world-class musicians.
From 1994 to 2000 she was a member of the all-women big band Diva, based in New York City. With Diva, she toured extensively across the United States and Europe, backing such artists as Diane Schuur, Joe Williams and Dave Brubeck. Cynthia performed with Diva at many prestigious venues, including the Blue Note, Birdland, and Tavern on the Green in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the SS Norway and QE2 Floating Jazz Festivals, and jazz festivals in Berlin, Montreal, and Switzerland. Cynthia can be heard on two of Diva’s CDs, Leave It to Diva and I Believe in You.
Since moving to Seattle in 2000, Cynthia has performed with a notable list of musicians that includes: Jovino Santos Neto, John Stowell, Jimmy Heath, Ndugu Chancler, Claire Daly, Roberta Piket, Allison Miller, Sheryl Bailey, Matt Jorgensen, Jeff Busch, Jay Thomas, Becca Duran, Bill Anschell, Chuck Deardorf, Eric Verlinde, Susan Pascal, the Jazz Police, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Washington Wind Symphony, Philharmonia NW, and the Tacoma Symphony. She was also featured on the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra OA2 Records release Meeting of the Waters, and performed with SWOJO at the Lima, Peru Jazz Festival in 2007.
Cynthia Mullis earned a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance from Queens College in NYC. She holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Cynthia is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico.