Leala Cyr - First Instinct (2019)

Leala Cyr is fast becoming one of the most sought-after jazz vocalists of her generation. With a unique and deft ability for stunning vocal improvisation as well as being a trumpet player with a warm, golden tone, she is a rare “double threat.” Growing up in the small town of Pulaski, Wisconsin, Cyr was lucky to have been introduced to a wonderful school music program. Beginning her concentration on the trumpet, Leala quickly advanced and began to take music more seriously. Upon entering the top jazz band in her high school, Cyr also became the band’s vocalist and eventually was featured as a trumpet and vocal soloist at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition at the Lincoln Center in New York City. Leala then moved on to the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay where she studied music and began her professional career singing and playing in the local 'Salute to Sinatra' big band. After two years of study, Cyr was voted "Best Jazz Vocalist" in the college division by Down Beat Magazine's student music awards in 2005. Soon after, Leala was granted the World Tour Scholarship for the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
Upon moving to the East Coast, Leala began performing professionally in the area and was also featured twice in Berklee’s renowned 'Singer’s Showcase.' Now as an alumnus of Berklee, she is performing professionally across the globe. Cyr’s projects include being a member of Grammy-winning "Best New Artist", Esperanza Spalding's "Radio and Chamber Music Societies'" (where she has appeared on The Late Show, The Tonight Show, The View, The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Austin City Limits, and more), as a member of Jody Redhage's "Rose and the Nightingale," and the release of an album with Milton Nascimento, Ricardo Vogt and Pedro Bernardo.
Leala has also shared the stage with Milton Nascimento, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ivan Lins, Jamey Haddad, Jeff "Tain" Watts, James Genus, Paul Winter, Guinga, Tia Fuller, Darmon Meader, Greg Hopkins, John Lockwood, Mark Walker, Chuck Loeb, Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, John Secada, Nando Michelin, and Byron Stripling.