JOYRIDE

Cynthia’s newest album, JOYRIDE, features the jazz/roots accordion of Charlie Giordano (a.k.a. the keyboard player with Springsteen's E Street Band) and her All-Star Joyride Band performing Hot Jazz, Great American Songbook, Tango, Classic Country, originals and more.

JOYRIDE showcases Cynthia’s singular & striking arrangements, heartfelt vocals, and her soulful, edgy 4-string banjo sound.

Hold onto your seat for a swinging, fun-filled JOYRIDE!

Track List

  1. Banjo Blues (Cynthia Sayer)

  2. Move It On Over (Hank Williams)

  3. I Get Ideas (Adios Muchachos) (Sanders & Cochran)

  4. Ella Miriam's Blues (Andy Statman)

  5. You Talk Too Much (Cynthia Sayer)

  6. The Man On The Flying Trapeze (Leybourne & Lyle, alt. lyrics by C. Sayer)

  7. I Love Paris (Cole Porter)

  8. Getting To Know You (Rodgers & Hammerstein)

  9. El Irresistible (L. Logatti)

  10. Goody Goody (Malneck & Mercer)

  11. Honey (Simons, Gillespie & Whiting)

  12. Under The Bamboo Tree (Cole & Johnson)

  13. When You Wish Upon A Star (Harline & Washington)

To hear track samples, click here.

Musicians

  • 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

KICKSTARTER SUPPORTERS 

  • JOYRIDE SPONSORS
    Elaine Adler
    Howard & Ruth Braren
    Robert Sayer

  • JOYRIDE DONOR PLUS
    Susan Taylor & Allen Brown

    JOYRIDE DONORS
    Amy Edwards
    Julia Fishelson
    Fritz Pritchett
    Sheila Wolfe

    And deepest thanks to you other supporters as well! Your contributions towards marketing JOYRIDE were invaluable!! —Cynthia

Reviews

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

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

"A winner throughout."
— MIDWEST RECORD

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

"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