Rahman was kind enough to have me as a guest on the inaugural episode of his new podcast 8th and B Side.
We discussed my hometown’s music scene, my journey from classical singing to R&B, and my current album Songs of Love and Freedom. Listen below!
I’m so excited to be bringing my band with me up and down the East Coast. More dates will be announced soon! For now…
Join me in NYC on Monday, August 27th: https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1700859
Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 28th: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1731778
Durham, NC on Saturday, September 8th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cecily-alexa-bumbray-700pm-show-tickets-48246858653
Chaka V. Grier, a writer for Bandcamp Daily, included my album Songs of Love and Freedom on her list of Best New Soul on Bandcamp! I feel honored to have my work recognized on this platform, and she said some really lovely things about me…
“Cecily’s music is stirringly timeless and modern.”
“Cecily never fails to enchant.”
“Freedom is a beautiful, self-reflecting album that emanates deep spirituality.”
Read the full article at https://daily.bandcamp.com/2018/06/06/the-best-new-soul-on-bandcamp-may-2018/
Photo by Nakeya Brown
I am so very excited to share my newest work with you, entitled “Pisces”! I’m honored that my favorite blog Soulbounce premiered it today on their site, and gave it a wonderful review! Editor-in-Chief Kim “Butta” Hines writes,
“Atop a soothing sound bed of percussion, flute, bass, guitar and violin, Cecily’s voice washes over the listener like a cool breeze. She flaunts her range on “Pisces” with a honeyed soprano reminiscent of the great Minnie Riperton. Cecily has a vocal style all her own, however, and continues to draw you in with her positive, introspective lyrics.”
Read more and listen to the full song here: http://bit.ly/SBXPisces
I would like to thank Niara and Carol Wright for featuring me in their December issue of Nyota Magazine. I met up with them in New Jersey in November on my way up to NYC. We met for about 3 hours, talked about my inspirations, my goals, my influences, my challenges, and my triumphs.
Next, we walked around the quaint town of Haddonfield for a photo shoot. I even did some Christmas shopping at their mom’s boutique House of Flair.
Read my full interview at http://issuu.com/nyotamagazine/docs/final_mag
Follow NYOTA Mag on IG @NyotaMagazine and on Tumblr at http://nyotamagazine.tumblr.com
I wrote a blog post for the site Sound Effects responding to the question:
How does sounds effect you?
My response:
Sound is memory….
Sound has made me who I am. I was raised on sound – ordered sound, what we call music: Jackson 5 in the morning, ZZ Hill in the afternoon, Bob Marley at bedtime. These sounds were as much a part of my life as the music of my mother’s jingling bangles, my father’s melodic whistling around the house, and my sister’s tap dancing down the hall way.
Read more >>> HERE <<<
I recently sat down with Taka Winter for his youtube series Discover My Voice. We discussed my influences, my travels, and I performed my original song “Real Love.”
Check it out!
I just want to thank DJ Jus Music and Singersroom.com for writing about my EP. Here’s an excerpt:
“Cecily describes her sound as Minnie Riperton meets Teedra Moses, and we couldn’t agree more. The Washington, DC-based singer-songwriter releases her self-titled debut EP, a blend of Old School, R&B, Folk, and Jazz that’s welcoming to the ears.
Packed with five songs and a bonus track (A cover of Mary J. Blige’s “Everything” by way of The Stylistics’ “You Are Everything”), Cecily delivers a body of work that’s soothing and nostalgic.”
Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2015-07-16/Cecily-Cecily-EP/#ixzz3govWxXK1
Shoutout to Gypsy Soul Entertainment for including me in their Aural Advocacy Campaign to celebrate Black Music Month. Please support this project by spreading the word. They will be featuring an artist each day this month. Follow their Tumblr & Instagram to follow along, and be introduced to talented black musicians!
A few weeks ago I did an interview with Salim Adofo, one of the leaders of the National Black United Front, a community organization that helps feed, educate, organize, and uplift Black people. We discussed commercialism, movement music, and my education. He also showed my video “Too Much” and a live performance of my song “Pisces.”
Check it out. When he asked if I was interested in commercial success, what did you expect me to say?
This was pretty cool. Watching yourself on TV is always a little surreal.
I appeared on the show Metro Magazine hosted by Bonnie McDaniel. It was a truly enjoyable interview experience. She’s so personable and was very easy to talk to. We discussed my upbringing, my training, lessons I learned from my parents, and the recent uprising in Baltimore. I also sang a little bit of “Black Butterfly” (you know that’s one of my favorites!).
Here’s a few pictures and clips I recorded while watching it on my TV. Watch a short video clip here >>>> Singing Black Butterfly
Hoping to do many more interviews soon! I do like talking lol
CD Baby