In 2007, Cécile moved to Aix-en-Provence, France, to study law as well as classical and baroque voice at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory. It was in Aix-en-Provence, with reedist and teacher Jean-François Bonnel, that she started learning about improvisation, instrumental and vocal repertoire ranging from the 1910s on, and sang with her first band. In 2009, after a series of concerts in Paris, she recorded her first album "Cécile", with Jean-François Bonnel's Paris Quintet. A year later, she won the Thelonious Monk competition in Washington D.C.
Cécile performs unique interpretations of unknown and scarcely recorded jazz and blues compositions. She focuses on a theatrical portrayal of the jazz standard and composes music and lyrics which she also sings in French, her native language as well as in Spanish. She enjoys popularity in Europe and in the United States, performing in clubs, concert halls, and festivals accompanied by renowned musicians like Jean-Francois Bonnel, Rodney Whitaker, Aaron Diehl, Dan Nimmer, Sadao Watanabe, Jacky Terrasson (with an a noted collaboration in his "Gouache" Universal CD), Archie Shepp, and Jonathan Batiste. She sings for the 2nd consecutive year for the Chanel’s « Chance » ad campaign. In August 2012, Cécile recorded at the Avatar Studios a CD to be released early next year for the Mack Avenue Label with Aaron Diehl, Rodney Whitaker, Herlin Riley and James Chirillo.
Cécile has performed at numerous festivals such as Jazz à Vienne, Ascona, Whitley Bay, Montauban, Foix, with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in New York’s Lincoln Center and Chicago’s Symphony Center and with her own band at the Kennedy Center, the Spoleto Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival and other venues.
Ben Ratliff writes in The New York Times “she sings clearly, with her full pitch range, from a pronounced low end to full and distinct high notes, used sparingly — like the one I heard a few weeks ago at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola on the last word of “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” the spire in a magnificent set. Her voice clamps into each song, performing careful variations on pitch, stretching words but generally not scatting; her face conveys meaning, representing sorrow or serenity like a silent-movie actor. She also presents a lot of jazz history, and other things…”
Visions
Cécile McLorin Salvant Lyrics
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Have I lived to see the milk and honey land?
Where hate's a dream and love forever stands
Or is this a vision in my mind?
The law was never passed
But somehow men feel they are truly free at last
Have we really gone this far through space and time
I'm not one who make believes
I know the leaves are green
They only turn to brown
When autumn comes around
I know just what I say
Today's not yesterday
And all things have an ending
But what I'd like to know
Is could a place like this exist so beautiful?
Or do we have to find our wings and fly away
To the vision in our minds?
I'm not one who makes believes
I know that leaves are green
They only turn to brown
When autumn comes around
I know just what I say
Today's not yesterday
And all things have an ending
But what I'd like to know
Is could a place like this exist so beautiful?
Or do we have to find our wings and fly away
To the vision in our minds?
In "Visions," Cécile McLorin Salvant explores the idea of an idealistic world, questioning whether it is a reality or merely a figment of her imagination. The song begins with the notion of people coming together, hand in hand, and the hope of reaching a utopian land filled with love, devoid of hatred. She wonders if she has truly witnessed the arrival of this promised land or if it is simply a vision within her mind. The singer acknowledges how liberation has not been officially granted through laws, yet people feel a sense of freedom. She ponders if society has genuinely progressed so far in space and time or if it is all a figment of her imagination.
Cécile McLorin Salvant then shares her perspective, expressing that she is not one to engage in make-believe. She recognizes the vibrant greenery of leaves that inevitably transform into brown during the autumn season. She understands the impermanence of all things and accepts that every day is distinct from the last. However, she seeks to understand whether a place of such extraordinary beauty could exist in reality or if it can only be found within the visions of our minds. Perhaps, she suggests, we must find our metaphorical wings and escape to these imagined realms.
Overall, "Visions" delves into the human desire for a more fulfilling and harmonious world, questioning the existence of such a place and reflecting on the transient nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
People, hand in hand
People coming together, united and connected
Have I lived to see the milk and honey land?
Did I witness a world of abundance and prosperity?
Where hate's a dream and love forever stands
Where hatred is an illusion and love prevails eternally
Or is this a vision in my mind?
Is this an imagined possibility?
The law was never passed
Legislation for equality and justice never came into effect
But somehow men feel they are truly free at last
Yet, people believe they have finally achieved true freedom
Have we really gone this far through space and time
Have we truly progressed so much in our existence
Or is this a vision in my mind?
Or is it a figment of my imagination?
I'm not one who make believes
I am not someone who deludes themselves
I know the leaves are green
I understand that leaves are naturally green
They only turn to brown
They only change color to brown
When autumn comes around
During the arrival of the autumn season
I know just what I say
I am certain about what I express
Today's not yesterday
The present is distinct from the past
And all things have an ending
Everything in life eventually comes to a conclusion
But what I'd like to know
However, what I am curious to discover
Is could a place like this exist so beautiful?
Could such a remarkably beautiful place truly exist?
Or do we have to find our wings and fly away
Or do we need to search for our own path and escape?
To the vision in our minds?
To the idealized vision that resides within our minds?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cecile McLorin Salvant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind