People said it looked like I was having fun, and that was so true.  For me, nothing is more fun than performing, and last Saturday night was no exception. I had a funtastic time singin’ and swingin’ at Café Leila in Berkeley.  The audience was super receptive, and seemed so happy that I wondered if fun can be contagious.  Certainly, the venue was accommodating, the workers quite gracious, and the musicians absolutely exciting.  It was a pleasure to meet and work with Keith Saunders who was innovative and entertaining on the keys.  It has been a joy to work extensively over the years with Richard Saunders on the upright bass.  He always holds us in a solid groove, and plays some intense solos with fingers that move so quickly they nearly blur. (Richard and Keith are not related.)  I had been a bit apprehensive about adding so much new material, but it felt like the less familiar songs actually sparked my interest and creativity on stage.  In fact, Richard claimed my performance was extra special, and of course I want to believe him (smile).  Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the arranger has been working on my original, Be Yourself and Let Yourself Be, and it’s high time to get back to work on my inspirational album.  I have a dream that these original tunes will touch the hearts of so many people with love and light, so I’m anxious to get back into the studio.  I love the studio.  It’s still a kind of live performance, which is still crazy fun even if the audience is a bit remote.  Hummm…. Hopefully fun is still contagious when bought, streamed, or downloaded!

Adventures in music continue as my inspirational originals album moves along.  Amidst recording sessions, mix-downs have begun.  And next week, I’ll be turning over a finished piano/vocal to the arranger.  Can’t wait to hear what he does with it… So Fun!   Simultaneously, I’ve been editing the avalanche of videos generated by the jazz gig at Café Leila near the end of summer.  It’s gratifying to see my work instead of just hearing it, although one has to be brave to watch themselves singing on stage.  Never mind what I see, my videos are getting a huge response on Facebook and Instagram…. So Fun!  Now, as if I wasn’t already having enough fun, Leila’s called and wants me back.  The first show felt really good. It was wonderful to return to jazz again after a lengthy break to write the inspirational album, but I had worried about how rusty my vocals might be.  Apparently singing jazz is like riding a bike: You never forget.  We’re booked again for Café Leila in Berkeley on Sat. Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 9pm (no cover), with Keith Saunders on Keys, and Richard Saunders on Upright Bass.  Since It’s Fall and I’m Havin’ a Ball, maybe I should try Autumn Leaves as a waltz… You guessed it: So Fun!

Hardly ever (almost never) get out to hear live music because I’m too busy making my own.  It’s no secret that I have a deep passion for writing songs, recording, and singing professionally on stage.  For some time now, I’ve been performing/recording inspirational originals. Suddenly, and out of nowhere, the jazz bug has bitten me again. I even booked a show at Café Leila in Berkeley.  Okay then, had to go check out Leila’s.  It’s a comfy, intimate place with friendly staff and excellent food.  Best of all?  I’d forgotten how much I enjoy live music, and being part of a happy crowd. Hope you’ll feel the same way when you come to see CYNTHIA BYTHELL & THE DIGGIN’ THE DOWNSIZE DUO REUNION SHOW, AUGUST 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 (no cover) at CAFE LEILA in BERKELEY (+1 (510) 525-7544)  We’re going to have a lot of fun celebrating the release of our never before released album. You’ll love master guitarist Duncan James with groovin’ upright bassist Richard Saunders, and the light mix of jazz standards I’ll be singing. And, of course, the performance will include improvised solos by the guys and a bit of scat singing too.  Looking forward to meeting you, and setting my jazz self loose again! (The album, Diggin’ The Downsize, is available now on CD Baby and Amazon.  It’s a live session recorded in the studio during the time we worked a long run on The San Francisco Bay Champagne Brunch Cruise.)

If you know me, you know I have a passion for music. True to my inner fish, however, I swim the melodic ocean simultaneously in two directions. First, I swam a long way singing standards wearing the cap of a piano bar entertainer, cabaret artist, singer for a bebop influenced group, and then as a vocalist/bandleader of a nine piece swing band and a jazz quartet/trio/duo. I got awfully tired, and spent a little time just softly floating. Suddenly, from another shore came a gentle breeze whispering uplifting ideas that wanted to be set to music and shared. So, I changed my course, of course. Oh how I love songwriting. It makes time disappear by the hour in just minutes. Now, I’m recording a whole album of inspirational originals. When it’s released, more people will undoubtedly be visiting my website. I certainly should have my latest album plus some older albums for sale on a dedicated “Store” page. Thinking about this change in my site, got me listening to some of my jazz albums. The next thing I knew, I was having so much fun singing along, I booked a jazz gig! Maybe I’ll throw an inspirational original or two into the sets, and get those two fish swimming in the opposite direction toward each other! Hope to see you there…….. Café Leila in Berkeley on Friday August 16 from 6:30 to 9:30. Cynthia Bythell and The Diggin’ the Downsize Reunion Show with Duncan James on Guitar and Richard Saunders on Upright Bass. We plan to release the previously unreleased album we made years ago, and maybe some old friends will even drop by and play some horn. Fun, Fun, Fun! cafeleila.com