French Vocalist Cyrille Aimée Announced as Cultural Trust Gala's Featured Performer on 9/6

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is pleased to announce the award-winning, internationally recognized jazz vocalist and recording artist Cyrille Aimée will be the featured performer during the Cultural Trust's Gala on Saturday, September 6, 2014, performance being held at the O'Reilly Theater located in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. Ms. Aimée was born in Fontainebleau, France where she discovered a love of the gypsy's language and music at an early age and comments, "I was hypnotized by this music which made me want to tap my feet. Swinging music makes me so happy. " Ms. Aimée studied music at the American School of Modern Music in Paris and SUNY Purchase, New York. "The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is honored that Ms. Aimée will be performing at our annual gala event. Ms. Aimée's performance will be a highlight of the evening and we look forward to hosting this outstanding and accomplished jazz vocalist as our special guest," comments J. Kevin McMahon, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Cyrille Aimée (pronounced Surreal M A) has proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz and pop music. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille's vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has received rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she has graced with her voice. Aimée is "one of those singers whom non-singing musicians call a musician," commented Ben Ratliff from The New York Times.

Ms. Aimée's honors include winning the Montreaux Jazz Festival International Vocal Competition (2007) and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (2012); and finalist in the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition (2010) with jurists Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves and Dee Dee Bridgewater. The Wall Street Journal commented Ms. Aimée is, "one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation." Ms. Aimée has performed throughout Europe, and notably has toured with French super group Caravan Palace and Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo, with whom she has also produced collaborative recordings. In November 2013, Stephen Soundheim cast Aimée in an Encores! Special Event at the City Center in New York City.

Ms. Aimée and her Surreal Band have also produced several recordings, their latest title to be released on August 19, 2014, "It's a Good Day," is a mix of original music and cover classics that meld the vocalist's music vision ? using bass, drums and three guitars ? creating a uniquely gypsy, jazz and Brazilian sound.

For more information about Cyrille Aimée, visit:
http://www.cyrillemusic.com
http://www.cyrillemusic.com/promo-material#!__videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/CyrilleAimee
http://www.cyrillemusic.com/promo-material#!__music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9juoVtTROG8

Allegheny Health Network is the Lead Sponsor for this year's Gala. Lead Sponsor CEO & President John Paul and his wife Cindy Paul are the event co-chairs. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Gala will celebrate the many rich influences of the jazz genre with a 'jazz tapestry' themed evening of happenings. The Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. under the stars with a reception and cocktails, dinner will follow in a beautifully decorated tent located at 7th Street and Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. Guests will enjoy a private performance by Cyrille Aimée in the O'Reilly Theater. Complimentary self-parking is available in the Theater Square Parking Garage, entrance located on 7th Street. The Gala is black-tie. For more information and to purchase a table or tickets to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Annual Fall Gala on Saturday, September 6, 2014, contact Denice Shilling, Assistant Manager of Corporate Giving, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at shilling@trustarts.org or (412) 471-1497.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh's most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country's largest land masses "curated" by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh's quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts. www.TrustArts.org

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