Banjo Blues

JOYRIDE, by celebrated & award-winning jazz banjoist-vocalist-bandleader Cynthia Sayer, features jazz/roots accordion of Charlie Giordano (keyboards with Springsteen's E Street Band) and her All-Star band on trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, violin, guitar, string bass, tuba, percussion, and more.

Song selections cover a wide range of styles, genres and musical eras -- Hot Jazz, Great American Songbook, Tango, Classic Country, & originals -- showcasing Sayer's singular & striking arrangements and highlighting the unexpected versatility of the 4-string banjo. Hold onto your seat for a swinging, fun-filled JOYRIDE!

"Sayer’s singing is as nuanced as her banjo playing, with a bright, lively vigor that makes Joyride sparkle with energy."
-- DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

"She's pushing the four-string banjo into new, uncharted territory."
-- FRETBOARD JOURNAL

Selected as "NOTABLE INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ RELEASE"
-- JAZZ JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION, W. Royal Stokes

"EDITOR PICK: Joyride is an accessible, fun album that I would recommend to jazz fans and non-jazz fans alike."
-- BLOGCRITICS

"Breaking the mold is New Jersey-born Cynthia Sayer who plays hot, swinging jazz on the plectrum banjo and performed with Woody Allen's band."
-- PBS ARTS

Selected as "TOP 5 LAST MINUTE STOCKING STUFFERS"
"Take a 'Joyride' with ace banjo player Cynthia Sayer and see if it doesn’t put a smile on your face. She offers wonderfully unique stylings...."
--EXAMINER.COM, Jordon Young

"If you like banjo, buy it! If you don't like banjo, buy it! Cynthia is brilliant throughout."
-- JUST JAZZ MAGAZINE (U.K.)

"A quirky delightful record! It shows that the tradition of experimentation in the [jazz] genre is not restricted to the more modernistic outreaches. Great fun throughout."
-- JAZZ JOURNAL, Jerry Brown (U.K.)

"A revelation. A world class banjoist, [and] Ms. Sayer really has a beautiful voice.”
-- IAJRC JOURNAL (International Assoc of Jazz Record Collectors)

“World-class level Sayer and her 4-stringed buddy are no novelty. She's the real deal and this recording reinforces that standing.”
-- ALL ABOUT JAZZ, Nick Mondello

"She whips up a fresh take on an old-time sound."
-- "PIANO JAZZ" on NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

"She laughs, she loves, she dreams, she speeds, she cruises and occasionally, she bares her teeth…. smashing stereotypes along the way."
-- THE RESONATOR

"This woman demonstrates a rich and elegant palette and makes us want to listen more to this 4-string instrument.”
-- JAZZ HOT (France)

"Jazz just doesn't sound the way it used to. Cynthia is out to reclaim the banjo's place in the genre."
-- "SOUNDCHECK" on NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

"Lou Reed once said, 'Baby take on a walk on the wild side' which is exactly what she does. A big winner! ”
-- @CRITICAL JAZZ

"I'm really stuck on those banjo lines 'cause they're way atypical and ... expand the instrument with a good deal more of its capabilities than are normally exhibited."
-- FOLK & ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXCHANGE

"Sayer's 'Joyride' is packed with many happy surprises."
--THE HARTFORD COURANT, Owen McNally

"A winner throughout."
-- MIDWEST RECORD

"Thanks to the work of Sayer, a completely new sound world appears with familiar tunes…. It was worth the wait."
-- AUDIOFILE SZALON (Hungary)

"This is one rollicking ride from Cynthia & her crew. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
--IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION MAGAZINE

"Cynthia Sayer is going to wipe that frown off your face. She strums, picks and glides and sings.... her hot chops on display. What more do you want?"
--JAZZ WEEKLY

"Her spots on banjo are inventive, and her singing is infectious. Joyride is a delight."
--LOS ANGELES JAZZ SCENE, Scott Yanow

"Cynthia Sayer is [a] jazz banjo ambassador who time and again has taken her instrument far beyond novelty status.... The tracks offer uncommon interpretations of familiar fare. Cynthia Sayer and company give us a 50-minute Joy Ride."
-- JAZZ POLICE, Andrea Canter

"An appealing album possessing an eclecticism that sets it apart."
-- JERSEY JAZZ JOURNAL

"A delicious mix of repertoire, musical styles, and instrumentation. A beautiful project."
-- ALL FRETS MAGAZINE

JOYRIDE personnel:
Cynthia Sayer - banjo, vocals, arrangements
Charlie Giordano - accordion
Mauro Battisti - string bass
Larry Eagle - percussion
Jon Herington - electric guitar
Sara Caswell - violin
Randy Sandke - trumpet
Scott Robinson - tenor sax & taragato
Adrian Cunningham - clarinet
Marcus Rojas - tuba
Mike Weatherly - string bass & back-up vocals

**Also available through digital distributors worldwide.