DESCRIPTION:
Throughout vocalist Cassandra Wilson's recording career, she's been able to reach into the depths of her range of American roots music. She's recorded jazz, soul, folk, country, and gospel music and been able to make a niche as a great vocalist without critics and music fans putting her art in mindless categories. The Jackson, Mississippi native never forgets her rich southern musical background and takes pride in having her music reflect it.

Growing up in Jackson, Cassandra was exposed to lots of music. She learned how to play the guitar as a teen and was classically trained beginning at the age of six. She performed in many soul and funk bands when she was in college and later moved to New Orleans upon graduation. It was while she was in the Crescent City that she met and eventually was mentored by educator/pianist Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste.

But Cassandra's rise to critical acclaim came when she moved to New York City where she became part of M-Base, a music collective co-founded by Steve Coleman, that played and composed jazz-based music that was fused with soul and funk. Other musicians that came from this collective were pianist Geri Allen and saxophonist Greg Osby.

In her 25 years as a vocalist, Cassandra has won two Grammy's and honors such as Down Beat Magazine's Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year and received an honorary doctorate in the arts from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
Currently she's working on a new project that will eventually be out sometime later this year. For upcoming tour and club dates please visit her on the web at www.cassandrawilson.com.