Cindy McLeod Biography

Cindy McLeod first hit the stage as a young child, and since performed in Canada and around the globe. In her younger years, Cindy studied dance and performed in major musical theatre productions.

In 1978 Cindy became a professional jazz vocalist, having since shared the stage with Canadian jazz notables such as Miles Black, Rick Kilburn, Bob Erlendson, Linton Garner, Brian Buchanan, Sandro Dominelli and P.J. Perry, among them. She has also performed/recorded with international artists including Keith Copeland (Frankfurt), Quyen Van Minh (Vietnam), Victor Mestas (Venezuela) and Roberto Aymes (Mexico City), to name a but a few. Cindy has released three critically acclaimed albums; Easy Living (1996); Ask Me Now (2002) and Conversation With Love (2005). A talented lyricist, Cindy has composed lyrics for jazz instrumentals penned by the masters and in collaborations with composers from Canada, Mexico and Venezuela.

Cindy’s writing credits include her Canadian jazz & blues news website www.jazzelements.com and as contributor to internet-based jazz sources Jazz Review, ejazznews, and Jazz News. She also writes copy for radio , print and other advertising and promotional items, as well as artist promotional packages. The prestigious Canadian Music Institute of the University of Toronto published Cindy’s article featuring Canadian trumpeter Maynard Ferguson (2006).

Co-founder of the Calgary Blues Music Association (CBMA), the Calgary International Blues and Calgary Midwinter Blues Festivals, Cindy acts as Producer for the events and has been instrumental in creating what has become one of the largest blues music festivals in Western Canada, Calgary Bluesfest. Cindy brings her skills in artist programming, marketing, publicity & promotion, media relations, graphic & web design, site management, logistics, volunteer coordination and more to the not for profit organization.

Cindy produces major concerts in Calgary for world-class jazz vocalists, including presentations with Sheila Jordan, Gino Sitson, and Jay Clayton. Cindy also contracts her services to other presenters, among them: Afrikadey! (General Manager 2003-04); Calgary Wordfest (Stage Manager 1997-present); BBQ on the Bow, Production Manager); Heritage Park (Stage Manager 2005-present).

Cindy’s voice-over work in the studio can be heard on several advertisements (Calgary Blues Music Association), and live for the Heritage Park’s Thomas the Tank Engine event (2005-present).

As a publicist, Cindy has been contracted by numerous artists: Prime Time Big Band, Gary Wolfe, Pat Hatherly, Guy Chaput, Mae Anderson, Kaitee Dal Pra; and by organizations such as Alliance Francaise, Universal Records and the Canadian Music Centre, Prairie Region (Publicist, Program Administrator – CMC 50th Anniversary Celebration - New Music In New Places 2009).

With a strong commitment to the arts and the future of the industry, Cindy invests in emerging and established artists through website and promotional package design, publicity and artist development, and is a regarded voice clinician (workshops, clinics, private).

A recognized leader in Canadian music, Cindy has been asked to sit on juries for the Western Canadian Music Awards (2004, 2006, 2007); the JUNO Awards (2008-2011), and invited to sit on various Boards including Calgary Blues Music Association (founding member in 2005 - present) and Jazz Is Society of Alberta (2010-present).

Cindy’s latest endeavour is as the host of The Blues Witness program, which can be heard weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm at CJSW Radio in Calgary, at 90.9FM or online at www.cjsw.com.