Cyrille Aimée offers a sound that feels at once timeless and unmistakably modern, giving a fresh perspective that is somehow steeped in tradition. With a voice shaped by multiple cultures and a fearless approach to improvisation, Aimée will perform on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 for the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point, NC.
GLOBAL INFLUENCE
Born in France to a French father and a Dominican mother. Aimée grew up surrounded by a vibrant mix of musical influences—from Afro-Caribbean rhythms to the gypsy jazz traditions of her hometown, Samois-sur-Seine, long associated with Django Reinhardt, the co-founder of “gypsy jazz” in pre-World War II Europe. That multicultural foundation continues to define her artistry, allowing her to move fluidly between swing, Latin grooves, chanson, and contemporary styles with natural ease.
As a teenager, she slipped out at night to learn from musicians at the Django Reinhardt Festival (a festival that draws thousands in honor of the late guitarist). This was an early sign of the curiosity and independence that would shape Aimée’s career. Her formal studies in Paris at the prestigious American School of Modern Music and later at SUNY Purchase in New York refined her technique, but it was the energy of live performance—especially in New York’s jazz clubs—that propelled her forward.
ROOT IN JAZZ
Aimée earned international recognition, winning the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition, becoming a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and taking top honors at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. These accolades signaled the arrival of a vocalist equally respected by critics and fellow musicians.
What distinguishes Aimée is not just her technical skill, but her adventurous spirit. Her music blends jazz with pop, Brazilian, and Caribbean influences, creating performances that feel spontaneous, intimate, and deeply connected to audiences. (Mack Avenue Music Group) Whether interpreting standards or reimagining the work of Stephen Sondheim—as she did on her Grammy-nominated album Move On for Best Arrangement, Instrument and Vocals on the song “Marry Me A Little.” Aimée earned her second Grammy nomination for her 2025 release À Fleur De Peau, in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For festivalgoers, Cyrille Aimée represents something essential: a bridge between cultures, generations, and musical traditions. Her performances don’t simply revisit jazz; they expand it, inviting listeners from all backgrounds to hear the music anew.
