Reginald Cyntje (born in Roseau Dominica and raised on St. Thomas, USVI), "one of the most prominent composer-bandleader on the Mid-Atlantic,” is a trombonist, educator, producer, and composer (NPR Music).Growing up in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), he was steeped in the rich cultural music known as Quelbe (the official music of the USVI). Quelbe was Reginald’s introduction to improvised music.
With cultural heritage at the forefront and social justice as the message, this passionate performer has “a deep-seated knowledge of Caribbean music and culture which has settled into his jazz trombone playing” (NPR Music). Cyntje recorded has recorded four albums as a leader. Spiritual Awakening, his most recent album (2015), musically embodies humanity’s complex journey from introspection to a celebration of freedom. ...
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Reginald Cyntje (born in Roseau Dominica and raised on St. Thomas, USVI), "one of the most prominent composer-bandleader on the Mid-Atlantic,” is a trombonist, educator, producer, and composer (NPR Music).Growing up in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), he was steeped in the rich cultural music known as Quelbe (the official music of the USVI). Quelbe was Reginald’s introduction to improvised music.
With cultural heritage at the forefront and social justice as the message, this passionate performer has “a deep-seated knowledge of Caribbean music and culture which has settled into his jazz trombone playing” (NPR Music). Cyntje recorded has recorded four albums as a leader. Spiritual Awakening, his most recent album (2015), musically embodies humanity’s complex journey from introspection to a celebration of freedom.
On his recordings, you can hear the sounds of calypso, reggae, and other African-influenced genres which now give his music a unique flavor.
Reginald is a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia and received his master’s degree at the University of Maryland. He is also a veteran of the US Army (389th Army Band). Currently, he leads his own groups and works as a sideman in numerous bands.
He is also the founder/owner of Jegna School of Music, LLC, a school that provides music lessons, workshops and mentoring concerts for intergenerational students; the founder and creative director of Cyntje Music, LLC, a one-stop music boutique that includes booking, curating and assisting artists; and a professor of music at Montgomery College and Prince George's Community College. Cyntje has also worked with Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Syncopated Leadership."
Mr. Cyntje is the author of Stepping Stones: 15 studies in improvisation. The concept of his music ministry is to spread love, peace and social justice with each expression.
Native Washingtonian, ALLYN JOHNSON, is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger and producer whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of jazz improvisation. Allyn, a prodigy who began playing piano at the tender age of five, got his start playing piano for the youth choir in his uncle's church. There he honed his inner musical gift.
While a student at the University of the District of Columbia, Allyn was mentored by the late great jazz legend Calvin Jones, a venerable figure in the international jazz community. At UDC, Allyn was the first recipient of the Felix. E Grant Scholarship Award in jazz performance. He graduated magna cum laude from UDC in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies. Now Allyn has served for more than six years as an adjunct professor of music and assistant director of the Jazz Studies program before succeeding Jones as the director in 2005.
Allyn hopes to continue Jones' rich legacy of service, musicianship and academic excellence. Allyn is one of the nation's most sought after musicians in the jazz community. He is revered by musical giants as well as the "young lions" of his generation. He was chosen for the highly competitive Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2001 and returned to teach in the program in 2002. As a composer-arranger, he has a growing library of works for ensembles of varying sizes and instrumentation.
Admissioin: $15 in advance/$18 at door/$10 full-time students with ID
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