Boston Globe/ Sidekick Cover  August 2007

There's a music style called jazzsoul (we made it up) and our anointed queen is Boston native Cassandre McKinley. The Boston Conservatory alum's vocal influences include Anita O'Day, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, and Marvin Gaye; McKinley pays tribute to the latter in her debut album "Til Tomorrow -- Remembering Marvin Gaye." The singer's version of "I Wish It Would Rain" is moving enough to bring precipitation to the desert.

JazzTimes Magazine April 2007

If you're already a fan of Boston-based chanteuse Cassandre McKinley, much of this rich, sensual salute to the music of Marvin Gaye might ignite a felling of déja vu.
Wisely, given her warm, carametl-flavored voice - rather Carole King via Nancy Wilson, with a layer of Aretha Franklin icing - McKinley never attempts to get sown to Gaye's inimitable nitty-gritty. Instead, she cleverly inverts the essence of each tune, re-channeling them from a distinctly female perspective. So, her "Trouble Man" is less rumble and more sass, "I Want You" reverberates with a softly yearning starriness (sounding, with it's easy samba vibe, like it was freshly plucked from the Brasil '66 songbook) and, most notably, the strained sexual heat of Gaye's "Let's Get It On" is transformed into five-and-a-half minutes of teasing foreplay.
To read the full review, purchase the April Issue of Jazz Times Magazine at your local newstand.

JB Spins Jazz Review

Maybe there’s something in the air, but jazz artists seem to be taking stock of the Marvin Gaye catalog. After the Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s reinterpretation of What’s Going On, Cassandre Wilson sings songs associated with Gaye on her debut Til Tomorrow.

Cynical jazz observers sneer about the new formula for crossover success—combine an attractive female vocalist with some well chosen pop standards given jazzy arrangements and unleash a marketing campaign. Maybe it is a formula, but it’s not necessarily a bad one. In this case, McKinley has the most important part of the equation. She has a strong voice, with great tone and clear diction.

McKinley sounds great throughout Tomorrow, the only quibble being one or two weak arrangements. No such caveat applies to “Trouble Man,” the first cut that really shows McKinley’s facility at various tempos in a rendition that gets to blues at the core of Gaye’s music. The real standout track is McKinley’s rendition of “Let’s Get It On,” undeniably the most famous Gaye hit on the CD. She credits Kenny Rankin as the inspiration for the spare arrangement for guitar and percussion. Her voice had to carry the tune, and it does, fully expressing the desire and longing of the tune. It’s a track that should make converts of Norah Jones and Cassandra Wilson fans.

After “Let’s Get It On,” one just wants to sit back and say “ah, yes.” The simple piano accompaniment of “Yesterday” trusts the power of her voice and works much better for it. Also notable is “You’re the One for Me,” which even features a little scattish vocalizing and effective sax work from Dino Govoni.

Til Tomorrow is a very strong debut (apart from some self-released sessions which do not seem to be readily available). Also worth noting for J.B. Spins readers who support Americans in uniform, McKinley dedicates the CD to her sergeant brother. Hearing McKinley’s voice, you have to conclude she is the real deal.

Kevin McNeir of www.JAZZUSA.com
Having grown up to the music of Motown legend Marvin Gaye, and even being raised for a while in his own home because my babysitter also sat for his own children, I have always maintained a real penchant for Gaye—both the man and his music.

So you can imagine that I was a bit leery when I heard that the latest release by vocalist Cassandre “Cass” McKinley, a Boston Conservatory of Music graduate, who at one time didn’t know if she wanted to be a singer or a dancer, was a tribute to a man who in my child’s memory was just about as close as one could get to God—next to my Dad, of course.

As I listened with care I slowly began to realize that McKinley was truly inspired as she moves effortlessly through the discography of Gaye while maintaining the sound and style that has become her trademark.

And perhaps that was the greater task for this clearly gifted jazz vocalist—maintaining her own voice—her own sound and style—while seeking to approach the work of one of the greatest singers of all time.

The CD begins with Gaye’s “Trouble Man” on which McKinley is skillfully accompanied by Brad Hatfield on piano.

What she does with “I Want You” is just magical—it’s the heart of Gaye but with the vocal inflections of Dinah (Washington) or perhaps Nancy (Wilson). And with tenderness Steven Angellis adds a cleverly arranged “voice” on the guitar. But there are two cuts that you don’t want to miss on this CD. The first is “If This World Were Mine”. The second is one which only the most ardent Gaye fan will even remember, “Til Tomorrow”—a beautiful and moving song which “Cass” makes her own.

Sometimes McKinley interprets the music in such a manner that you think you’re in a Louisiana speakeasy while at other times it’s almost like a song made for an old-fashioned hoe down in the Bluegrass state of Kentucky. And yet the spirit of Marvin Gaye is still present. “You done good sister.” Listen for yourself, but from this writer’s perspective, Brother Marvin would approve.

Richard Bourcier of Jazzreview.com

While it seems like yesterday when I raved about Cassandra McKinley's first album Stay The Night. That was five years ago. That CD proved McKinley's unerring prowess at choosing great songs. Her latest project reinforces that belief.

The soul idol's compositions fit the sultry singer like an old pair of shoes. Let's Get It On receives Cassandre McKinley's ultimate foxy treatment. Stand back and feel the heat! Til Tomorrow is another gem that benefits greatly from the Beantown singer's very personal handling.

Cassandre McKinley delivers a confident and relaxed jazz session. Baring The Soul is a fitting tribute to a legendary singer / composer. I'll bet Marvin would heartily recommend this CD. I certainly do!

Pam Guthrie of Jazzreview.com

Marvin Gaye fans rejoice! Cassandre McKinley fans rejoice! Now rejoice together! Cassandre McKinley's third CD is a tribute to Marvin Gaye. It is passionate, evocative and sensual. Baring The Soul The Music of Marvin Gaye is a subtle, sexy homage that is even more perfect when accompanied by a glass of wine, a crackling fire and your own true love or even potential true love.

McKinley spent two years to produce this collection. By her own admission, it was a time of personal struggle. The depth of feeling, the intensity and fire that burn in each song makes it clear that Baring The Soul is a deeply personal effort grounded in McKinley's solid musical talent and skill. Dino Govoni on tenor sax plays a beautiful duet with McKinley in "I Want You." Their voices trade back and forth in a mellow love fest, while on "Pride And Joy" their zest and joy dance out from the music. Brad Hatfield's piano on "Trouble Man" fills the space underneath the vocals with as much heart as a chorus of backup singers while maintaining a gorgeous balance that keeps a sultry urban-night feel rolling throughout. "Let's Get It On" melts. Stephen Angellis's stunning guitar work, coupled with McKinley's sultry vocals, is winning. You might want to kick your shoes off, because several of the cuts are going to make you want to dance.

6 Jazz Divas

Arts Around Boston Magazine, Fall 1999

(Cassandre is featured in this article along with current diva's Carole Sloan, Rebecca Parris, Donna Byrne, Lisa Thorson and Shawnn Monteiro)

Boston's collection of jazz divas stands up against any other talent in the world. In a country where most major cities can't even get it together enough to support a single jazz club, Boston is fortunate to be a home to two thriving clubs, Scullers and the Regattabar, along with a number of smaller venues, like the Colonial Inn in Concord, that are graced by some of the hottest Jazz talent in the world.

And a number of the talented woman who are out there, night after night, singing their hearts out in clubs, stadiums, and neighborhood coffee houses around the world, make their home right here in the Boston area.

As we're looking forward to the future of jazz divas in Boston, Cassandre McKinley is the one to watch.

"For fourteen years, I did theater work and commercials. I spent my teenage years as a singer, dancer and actress, both in New York and Boston. Later, while performing at weddings, the first set, made up of mostly Jazz standards, always seemed to be the favorite.

My first female jazz "inspiration" was Nancy Wilson. I found her to be very soulful. That was a quality I felt I had in my voice. "Soulful" was a vocal quality I associated with - more than scatting. I've also learned a tremendous amount from listening to musicians like Dick Johnson. I'm inspired by his modesty. He says that he continues to learn to this day."

"My goal is to branch out, to touch as many people as I can with my music. I'm happy singing anywhere, meeting musicians, finding new challenges. It's overwhelming and exciting. There is much to learn, to see and to do. Every once in a while you have a night when the audience is right there, holding your hand, and you walk out feeling fabulous. Those nights are the ones you remember..."

Stay the Night (2001 self-released)

Richard Bourcier of Jazzreview.com

When this CD arrived in the mail, my wife read over the tune list, handed me the recording and said "Cassandre McKinley made this CD just for you". Puzzled, I looked at the back of the package and 7 of the 11 compositions are among my list of favorites.

Needless to say, this fine young Boston songstress had my immediate attention. The first track is "Easy Street" which was introduced to me by the great Clancy Hayes. Cassandre's version kicks of with a beautiful Herb Pomeroy trumpet intro and the solid bass of Dave Landoni. Cassandre enters "Easy Street" from the swingin' end of town and generates some subtle, but delightful changes to the melody.

Her heartfelt rendition of the Matt Dennis tune "Angel Eyes" is the finest I've ever heard.

Those of you who generally shy away from Indie labels are missing out if you don't give this recording a very serious listen. I'd recommend it to those dedicated late night jazz radio hosts. Give this a play!

Ms. McKinley has a wonderful, intimate and swinging style. To quote the last track, I can only say "But Beautiful".