Biography
Cindy Devereaux credits her move to Paris as her official entrance into the music business.
Her first engagement was as a backup singer for French rock star Nino Ferrer. She also met
many famous American jazz musicians who were living and working in Europe. With their
encouragement she decided to put "rock 'n roll" on hold and start singing with jazz groups.
Pianist Mal Waldron befriended her and agreed to play at her first rehearsal. This is something
that Cindy will always be grateful for! One reason for her gratitude/admiration is that besides
being encouraged by a brilliant pianist, she found out later that he was the last accompanist for
her favorite singer: Billie Holiday - a fact he never mentioned.
Her first major jazz gig was at The Jambouree Club in Barcelona, Spain. She appeared in many
other clubs in Spain and worked for Estudio Esplugas as a film extra. She returned to the US
and sang at the Blue Note as well as many other clubs in the New York/New Jersey area. Some
of her sidemen/guests have included Hod O’Brien, Ted Curson, Coy Shockley, Craig Haynes,
Bob Moses, Loren Schoenberg, Chris Flory, Harvie Swartz and Jerry Weldon. She is often
accompanied by her Musical Director, guitarist/pianist Howard Richmond.
A mutual friend introduced her to vocalist Maxine Sullivan who became her friend and mentor
and often featured Cindy in her shows. Ms. Sullivan also shared her contacts and bookings
soon followed as a result of this assistance. Cindy's nine month engagement at Preacher’s
Café in Greenwich Village was followed by her first recording: "Cindy Devereaux & Friends"
(Aspasia-201) which featured many of the artists who sat in each week at these shows.
Following her stint at Preacher's, she made her first trip to Japan, performing at two clubs in
Utsunomiya City for two months.
Her current repertoire consists of standards, blues, bossa novas, pop and novelty tunes; she
brings a sense of fun and a love for performing plus a deep respect for the musicians/singers
who came before her. She can caress a ballad or swing “high and strong” as one critic put it.
She sings in French, Spanish, Portuguese and (of course) English.
She did a show for the “Women in Jazz” series presented for Black History Month in Harlem.
Reviewing this performance, Donnette Magoola, a reporter for Harlem Weekly wrote: “The
champagne jazz tour opened its gala string of events featuring Ms. Cindy Devereaux who
provided her own special revival, singing the tunes of the old musical greats. New York born,
Ms. Devereaux rightly exemplifies all the dignity, beauty and talent historically attributed to
our ladies in jazz.
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