| Crystal
's voice does the near impossible - it is at once delicate and powerful.
With an angelic lightness reminiscent of Amel Larrieux and a soulful
range similar to Minnie Riperton's, Crystal Night was clearly born
to sing. A Georgia native, she has lived in Paris since 2000, performing
regularly throughout the city's rich music circuit in both English
and French. Drawing on her personal experiences, Crystal sings all
original work, reflecting the depth, emotion and grace inherent
in this young woman's spirit.
A graduate
of Spelman College, Crystal Night was offered a position as an analyst
on Wall Street but on a leap of faith, packed up and moved to Paris
to try her hand at what she does best - sing. Crystal has performed
in Atlanta at the Apache Cafe, in New York City at such venues as
Cafe Wha?, 101 and Club Groove, at Paris' Opus Cafe, le Cercle Jazz,
le Franc Pinot, le Triptyque and la Scene Bastille, and at London's
the Spot, and the Ten Room. Crystal was featured in the WB's Pop
Stars, as well as several international music festivals and showcases
- a far cry from the little girl who used to charge her classmates
a nickel on the playground to hear her sing. Having lived in Martinique,
London, Germany, and several areas of France, Crystal is traveled
and worldly, yet also possesses a girl next door quality, contributing
to her boundary crossing appeal.
Blending elements
of jazz, R'n'B, pop and soul, Crystal kisses each track with the
soft sweet fluidity that laces her voice. As with artists like Whitney
Houston, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Crystal found her voice
in church, giving her sound a gospel rooted richness. With so many
artists today relying on flashy lights and back up dancers, it is
nothing short of refreshing to hear a vocalist who can stand on
the strength of her talent alone. Precise, true, generous, and well
connected to her audience, Crystal's voice is incredibly soothing
and balanced. It's a wonderful and welcomed surprise to find all
these elements in tact on her first album, "Sweet Melodies."
Keep your eye
out for this gifted singer-songwriter and the impact she will undoubtedly
have on contemporary music as we know it.
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