Jazz at Home

A top selling album in its release year, JAZZ AT HOME is still fresh and toe-tapping as ever. Celebrated jazz banjoist & vocalist Cynthia Sayer and her band of acclaimed hot swing artists, all hailing from her home of New York City, offer a joyful and unforgettable musical experience of 1920s and '30s Jazz.

Cynthia is known as one of the top jazz banjoists worldwide, thanks to her driving, swingy banjo style. Her vocal, multi-instrumental and arranging talents top off the mix. Enjoy!

Track List

  1. Vo-Do-Do-De-O Blues (Yellen & Ager)

  2. The Best Things in Life Are Free (DeSylva, Brown & Henderson)

  3. The Glory of Love (Billy Hill)

  4. Bogalousa Strut (Sam Morgan)

  5. Sweet And Low (Dubin & Warren)

  6. Indian Summer (Dubin & Herbert)

  7. With Plenty of Money and You (Dubin & Warren)

  8. Am I Blue? (Clarke & Akst)

  9. When I Grow Too Old to Dream (Hammerstein II & Romberg)

  10. I Hadn't Anyone Till You (Ray Noble)

  11. You Always Hurt The One You Love (Fisher & Roberts)

  12. Alligator Crawl (Fats Waller)

  13. Why? (Jelly Roll Morton)

  14. Seems Like Old Times (Lombardo & Loeb)

To hear track samples, click here.

Musicians

  • Cynthia Sayer – banjo, tenor guitar, vocals, arrangements

  • Jon-Erik Kellso – trumpet

  • Peter Ecklund – trumpet cornet

  • Kenny Davern – clarinet

  • Scott Robinson – soprano, tenor & baritone saxes, alto clarinet

  • Randy Reinhart – trombone

  • Tom Artin – trombone

  • Keith Ingham – piano

  • Greg Cohen – string bass

  • Arnie Kinsella – percussion

Reviews

"Sayer's execution is flawless. She exhibits total command of the banjo, uses the guitar as an alternate, and is the motivational force for all songs. She also is a more than adequate vocalist. Her tone and dynamics work perfectly with the band as she struts her stuff to the lyrics."
—CADENCE MAGAZINE

"Cynthia Sayer is a talented traditional jazz musician who sings and plays banjo and tenor guitar with equal expertise. Her voice carries warmth and color ... and her rapid-fire style is phenomenal."
—JAZZ TIMES

"Cynthia Sayer once again demonstrates why she's a blue-ribbon artist. Put simply, JAZZ AT HOME is an album that bears repeated listening, not only to savor Cynthia's skills as both a songstress and instrumentalist but also to examine assorted and sundry solos dished up by a quality cast of musicians."
—THE AMERICAN RAG

"Cynthia Sayer, who is certainly one of the best banjo players in the business, has picked a real all-star band for this fine CD.... Every tune is a definite winner."
—THE RESONATOR

"Cynthia Sayer is a young New York-based musician whose prowess on banjo and guitar and ability as a vocalist have made her a popular entertainer at home and abroad. She has learned that variety is the spice of jazz as well as of life..... We get some artful textural variations and neat solos."
—THE MISSISSIPPI RAG

“Bravo to Cynthia Sayer. In the world of jazz, established women instrumentalists are few. Jazz At Home is a testament to her talents and credible position in the jazz world. This CD is a ‘must.’”
—FIGA MAGAZINE (Fretted Instrument Guild Of America)

"Sayer's new CD represents her latest, and to date, most personally inspired solo project. … The eclectic blend of material, instrumentation and arrangements suggest an ongoing musical growth, not only as soloist or vocalist, but as arranger as well. As a vocalist, Cynthia eludes a warmth and joy. It certainly provides a wealth of enjoyable listening and inspiration…. and further solidifies her music and the banjo as a major player in the mainstream of traditional jazz."
—FIGA MAGAZINE (Fretted Instrument Guild Of America)

"Cynthia Sayer sure knows how to pick her musicians... She also knows how to pick songs ... She also plays a mean banjo and guitar, and knows her way around a vocal."
—JERSEY JAZZ JOURNAL

"Cynthia Sayer is a fine banjo soloist with a nice singing voice. On this CD she utilizes some of the best traditional musicians around. The music is enjoyable."
—AMG ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“What makes the recording especially worthwhile is the interplay between Sayer and her sidemen… Each of the tunes has something special to offer. If you’re looking for absolute standout, the votes goes here.”
—JAZZBEAT