ABOUT CHERYL
Place of Birth: Kentucky Bluegrass
Calling: Composing, Arranging, Recording & Performing
Life Ambition: Create great music
Discography: "Beginnings" cassette release 1990, dedicated to patrons at the Moscow Planetarium
"Sunday Afternoon" Live CD released September 1999
"Shades of Blue" released December 2009
Cheryl Lynne Skinner—flautist, vocalist, pianist and composer—combines a myriad of styles, including Jazz, R&B, Latin-American, African and classical to achieve her unique smooth contemporary sound. Even while studying classical flute at the University of Louisville School of Music, Skinner knew that she was destined for a more individualistic performing life than classical music would allow her.
She continued her education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she learned the nuts and bolts of commercial music. While closer to her musical goals, it wasn’t until Skinner discovered her gifts as a composer that she was able to synthesize the diverse styles and elements that freed her to completely express her musical persona. Solo and ensemble performances in Kentucky, California and the Washington, DC area eventually led Skinner to Chicago where she was able to hone her vocal and ensemble skills with top-notch musicians in the area. In 1997 in Chicago, Cheryl produced innovative concerts and performances in various Chicago venues. Included in these venues, Cheryl produced “Afrocentricity” and “A Christmas Potpourri” as part of the Orpheus Classical Music Series at the Harold Washington Library Auditorium. Cheryl pioneered the first inclusion of a jazz trio and synthesizer performance to that series. Her work has featured the poetry of such renowned poets as Ms. Gwendolyn Brooks and Dr. Maya Angelou.
Skinner came full circle with a concert at the Kentucky Center for the Arts where she performed all original music with the Cheryl Skinner Consort. Skinner again broke new ground with the vision of a live CD taping for the Jazz Cabaret Series. The concert was recorded live January 10, 1999 and resulted in Skinner’s first CD, “Sunday Afternoon” which established the precedent for live recordings in the “Jazz Cabaret Series.” Almost immediately thereafter, she was honored by inclusion in the “African American Composers Live” exhibition at Belmont Mansion in Philadelphia. The Kentucky Education Television network (KET) videotaped Skinner’s concert for use in a documentary. KET2 adopted “Go For Baroque” from her “Sunday Afternoon” CD as the first theme song for their weekly program, “Mixed Media.” Skinner refers to herself as a sound synthesist and her music as contemporary M.U.S.E. (Music Unleashed from Soul Experience).
Skinners first cassette release “Beginnings” was featured on WUKY 91.3 FM radio in Lexington, KY interviewed by host John Rose. Skinner’s work was also featured in a radio documentary by Chicago WBEZ’s Jodi Becker. Cheryl Lynne Skinner & sister Colette Skinner Aly were featured and interviewed live in Chicago’s WBEZ studios by NPR’s award winning journalist & broadcaster Mara Tapp. In March 2010, Skinner’s Sunday Afternoon CD was included on the play list on the Spirit of Jazz program on Washington DC’s WPFW “Spirit of Jazz” show by host Lona Alias. Ms Alias showcased an eclectic mixture of inspirational music and Skinner was listed in great company including Chaka Khan, Martina McBride, Celine Dionne, Josh Groban, Nina Simone, India Arie, Stevie Wonder & many others.
With a passionate commitment to original music Skinner recently released her 2nd contemporary flute CD “Shades of Blue“. In addition to its promotion she hosts cheryllynneskinner.com MUSE MP3 project regularly composing and recording Internet releases.
© 2008 cheryl lynne skinner
MY MISSION
TO CREATE, PRODUCE, AND PARTICIPATE IN PROJECTS, PRODUCTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT WILL UPLIFT AND INSPIRE THE KINGDOM OF THE CREATOR.
PAST PERFORMANCES
CD Promotion Events & Performances:
“Sunday Afternoon”CD taped live at the KY Center for the Arts-Jazz Cabaret Series
Hawley-Cooke Booksellers-CD Release Event –Louisville, KY
Joseph Beth Booksellers-CD signing event-Lexington, KY
Barnes & Nobles-Webster Place-CD signing event-Chicago, IL
Home of the Innocents Event-Brown Hotel-Louisville, KY
Barnes & Nobles-CD concert/signing event-Lexington, KY
Twelfth Night Theater Company-guest artist/instructor-Chicago, IL.
Borders Books & Music-Knoxville, TN
Leeds Theater-Cheryl Skinner Consort-Winchester, KY
Barnes & Nobles Bookstore-CD concert/signing event-Cincinnati, Ohio
Borders Books & Music-CD concert/signing event-Cincinnati, Ohio
Twice Told Coffee House-concert/signing event-Louisville, KY
-Borders Books & Music-Park Avenue-New York, NY
-Borders Books & Music-Kip’s Bay 2nd Avenue-New York, NY
Guest Lecturer “Shades of Blue” Bellarmine College Music Department Louisville, KY
“Shades of Blue” Concert/Art Exhibit Kentucky Center for the Arts”, Louisville, KY
“Shades of Blue” Montgomery County Community Center, Mt. Sterling, KY
Concerts, Programs & Festivals:
“Jazz in Central Park” Louisville, KY
“Yvette” & “Yvette Wintergarden “ Chicago, IL
“Lexington Jazz Showcase Concert” Memorial Hall, Lexington, KY
“Rudyard Kipling Jazz” Louisville, KY
“Afrocentricity” Harold Washington Library Auditorium, Chicago, IL
“Christmas Potpourri” Harold Washington Library Auditorium, Chicago, IL
“Free Spirit” St. Quigley Chapel, Chicago, IL
“Cheryl Skinner In Concert” Lexington Public Library Auditorium, Lexington, KY
“Eats” Syncopated Inc, Lexington, KY
“Krupskaya’s Sisters” Alternate Roots Festival, Atlanta, GA
“Victoria’s Willful Wayward Wonton Women” Artswatch, Louisville, KY
“Jazz Meets Downtown at Breedings” Lexington, KY
“Café Max” Lexington, KY
“Woodland Jazz Festival” Lexington, KY
“Simply Blues” Los Angeles, CA
"Alchemy" Silver Spring, MD
"Colour Gallery" Silver Spring, MD
SPECIAL THANKS TO SUPPORTERS
"No man is an island" I would like to give special thanks to those who have supported or invested in my career. Without these grantors the Elinez Music Catalog would not exist. At every crucial career phase there have been people or organizations that have kept me alive and creating music.
God, the Creator for giving me such a wonderful gift to caretake on the Planet.
Kentucky Foundation for Women- for the purchase of my Triton Pro Workstation Keyboard and Finale Software
Kentucky Educational Television documentary “Electronic Field Trip to the KY Center for the Arts” & “Go For Baroque” TV Show Theme Music for Mixed Media talk show on KET for my first music liscense contract
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) Award
"African American Composers Live” pictorial exhibit, Belmont Mansion, Philadelphia, PA for recognizing and honoring my work among the greats
Today's Woman Magazine, Louisville, KY for my first magazine cover feature
“Artists Residency” Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Sweetbriar, VA for providing a wonderful space to create. This grant was sponsored by KY Foundation for Women
“Professional Development Grant” Kentucky Arts Council
“ CD Production Grant” Illinois Arts Council provided manufacturing funds for the "Sunday Afternoon" CD
“Artist Enrichment Grant” Kentucky Foundation For Women- for demo work and time to compose the "Shades of Blue" CD & travel to NY for research
“Change, Inc. Grant” New York, NY for helping me through a very hard spot.
“Program Grant” Lexington Arts & Cultural Council, Lexington, KY for "Cheryl Lynne Skinner in Concert" at the Lexington Public Library
Kentucky Center for the Arts for hosting my first "live" and the premier Shades of Blue Concert/Art Exhibit
Mrs. Melinda Duncan for managing, nurturing @ supporting (even feeding the band) in the initial stages investing enormous time, energy and monetary investment for me unconditionally.
Susan Thompson, Rebecca & Mr & Mrs. Edward Begley and Gwen & James Stith for holding the vision for me until I could hold it for myself
Ina Ellis, for ALWAYS being there.
Doris Raney for the manufacturing of "Beginnings" cassette
Keith McCuthen for being the most talented musician/band leader ever!
Ken Clay for having the courage and confidence in my work to allow me to share it in a wonderful creative enviornment as the Kentucky Center for the Arts
Mr. Lloyd Remick, Dr. Maya Angelou, Mrs. Gwendolyn Brooks, Sherry Winston and Mr. Dan Kassell for saying yes!
Phyllis O'Dell, Dhilanthi Fernando and Shanta Premawardhana, Rita & Renee Gregg, Deb Tyler & Shelley Jones for helping me stay alive!
Mr. Allen on 4th St. Mrs. Cristine Gay, Mrs Mattie Taylor, Mr. John Edmonson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cowan, Mr. Charles Campbell, Mrs. Linda Dimartino, Francis Fuge & Cheryl Hodges who gave me a terrific music education.
Rev. Randolph Wilkinson who helped me seek & find the "Truth"
The FANS & MUSICIANS, all the people who attend the Concerts, buy the CD's & Download Music I thank you with all my heart. Believe it or not there have been moments when your downloads help feed me. It is difficult to make you understand what happens in the lives of musicians behind the scenes and how every dollar you spend in our support really helps us to continue our quest. Thanks again.
Last but not least my family: Eli & Inez (ELINEZ) Colette, JP & Vanita, Mr.Curry, Aunt Mary & Uncle John for teaching me the truth that "blood is thicker than water"
May God Bless You ALL!