Cynthia Eytina

With a warm full voice and passionate overtones, Cynthia Eytina (formerly Cynthia Bostic) blends the musical worlds of Gen X and Gen Z while paying homage to the great pioneers of jazz. Cynthia’s artistry and musical styling creates a tapestry of vibrant color and mood that’s sure to uplift the masses.

Cynthia first made a name for herself performing alongside some of the most talented musicians on the New York jazz scene in the 1990’s, including Bill Lee, Juini Booth, Roy Hargrove, Justin Robinson, Arturo O’Farrill, Stephen Scott, Dwayne Burno, Burt Eckoff, Christian McBride, Miles Griffith, Philip Harper and many others. Cynthia’s musical development was guided by such talented artists/educators as 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. Cynthia was also a regular participant in Barry Harris’ jazz workshops. Her mentorship continued at the “University of the Streets” in the East Village where she attended a jazz singer’s workshop and worked on tunes with a trio and was mentored by a continuous 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 encounters 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.

Cynthia was greatly influenced by the mentorship of acclaimed bassist and composer Bill Lee. From 1993 to 1995, Cynthia was a member of his vocal group, “The Family Tree Singers”, performing his original 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 often referred to Cynthia as his “head trumpeter” and composed a ballad solo that highlighted her vocal range. 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.

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 also showcased at Birdland as an up-and-coming jazz singer.  Also in her senior year, as a member of “The John Motley Chorus”, Cynthia had the opportunity to sing 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 singing at jam sessions. It would be years before she returned to her love of performing. Notably on 11/11/11, 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".