Cynthia Eytina

With a warm full voice and passionate overtones, Cynthia Eytina (formerly known as Cynthia Bostic) made a name for herself performing alongside some of the most talented musicians on the New York jazz scene in the 1990’s, including Gil Coggins, Juini Booth, Burt Eckoff, Clifford Barbaro, Roy Hargrove, Justin Robinson, Stephen Scott, Dwayne Burno, Christian McBride, Miles Griffith, Winard Harper, Philip Harper, and many others. Cynthia has a BFA degree in Jazz Vocal Performance. However, her musical development was aided by many exceptional musical educators/performers, including Andy Bey, Sheila Jordan, Ann Marie Moss, Richard Harper, Garry Dial, Norman Simmons, Daniel Carillo, Mike Holober, Nancy Marano, Atarah Hazzan, Steven Flam, Harolyn Blackwell, and Badiene Magaziner.

After enrolling in a jazz workshop at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in the early 1990's, Cynthia found herself immersed in classic jazz standards and the Great American Songbook.  She also was a regular participant in the workshops of legendary bebop pianist Barry Harris.  In addition, Cynthia sang at the “University of the Streets” in the East Village where she was mentored by a stream of seasoned jazz veterans.  Cynthia also performed regularly at late-night jam sessions which provided her with opportunities to jam with some of the most talented musicians on the New York jazz scene at that time. These experiences eventually led to weekly Monday night performances at the famed Village Gate and a spot as a featured singer with The Harper Brothers Band during an engagement at Eddie Condon's Jazz Club in 1993.

From 1993 to 1995, Cynthia worked with jazz bassist Bill Lee as a member of “The Family Tree Singers”.  The group performed Bill Lee’s original jazz compositions and excerpts from his folk-jazz operas, often singing in a vocalese style and scatting, with Bill Lee conducting from behind his bass.  Bill Lee was known for his work with Odetta, Duke Ellington, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and many others.  He also scored the soundtracks for some of the films of his son, Spike Lee. The New York Post article dated January 18, 1994, stated “Bill Lee’s concert Saturday at the East Village’s University of the Streets (where he periodically performs) featured his Family Tree Singers, a nine-member ensemble that deserves major exposure.  He’s found (or developed) a wealth of vocal  jazz talent, and the group has an identity of its own.”   

Looking to further develop her musicianship, Cynthia auditioned for Ron Carter "one of the most-recorded bassists in jazz history" and other faculty members of The City College of New York and was accepted into the Jazz Program. During her senior year, she was chosen to receive a music recording award and was showcased at Birdland as an up-and-coming jazz singer.  Also in her senior year, while singing with “The John Motley Chorus”, Cynthia had the opportunity to perform with The Max Roach Quartet, performing the drummer’s musical arrangements.

Cynthia eventually placed her musical aspirations on hold in order to focus primarily on family, although occasionally performing at jam sessions. It would be years before she returned to her love of performing. Notably on November 11, 2011, Cynthia’s vocal arrangement of the Billy Taylor tune “His Name Was Martin” was performed by opera singer Harolyn Blackwell and jazz pianist Geri Allen at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for “Jazz on the Elevens: A Tribute to Billy Taylor”.

Also, in May of 2013, Cynthia had the honor of singing in a vocal ensemble that performed for the Donald Byrd Memorial Service & Concert, performing jazz and R&B compositions of this great trumpeter.  Many great jazz musicians were in attendance, including pianist Herbie Hancock who accompanied the vocal ensemble on piano for the performance of Byrd’s "Cristo Redentor".