CINZIA SPATA is regarded as one of the finest jazz vocalists in the world, as well as an innovative composer and lyricist.

Now based in New York City, CINZIA SPATA is already a major name in the rich legacy of jazz in Italy, and this year she’s bursting onto the jazz scene in the United States and worldwide with the release of her new CD, “Into the Moment” (Koiné / Dodicilune Records.)  Anticipating that she will be one of 2011’s breakout artists, this is indeed her moment.

Cinzia’s live performance calendar includes a tour with her current working unit, the CINZIA SPATA QUARTET FEATURING STEVE SWALLOW, with Adam Nussbaum and Giovanni Mazzarino.

“Into the Moment” features Cinzia leading a band of jazz all-stars (George Garzone, Bruce Barth, Ken Cervenka, Yoron Israel and Dave Clark) in an exciting mix of original and classic material, including Cinzia’s original lyrics for compositions by Mal Waldron, Bill Evans, Kenny Wheeler and Ralph Towner.

Jazz Times Magazine, in a rave review of “Into the Moment,” heralded the CD as one that “should establish her as one of the best singers on the jazz scene,” and went on to note Cinzia’s “superb command of her voice” and that “Spata improvises melodies with spontaneity and ease.”

Italy has enjoyed the good fortune of witnessing the first phase of Cinzia’s career, which has included high-profile appearances on Italian television, film, festivals, jazz clubs and concert halls, with the Umbria Jazz Festival, annual appearances at the Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival, and Rome’s top jazz club, Alexanderplatz, among her career highlights.

Cinzia’s vocal mastery encompasses a full range from state-of-the-art scat singing to a style of ballad interpretation that has an undeniably cinematic quality.  Her music is fresh and modern, and appeals to mainstream jazz aficionados as well as to young audiences attracted to new sounds.

Cinzia has been heard in collaborations with such great artists as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lester Bowie and Jay Clayton, and has extensive credits in classical performance.  Composer Mario Modestini has collaborated with Cinzia on a series of orchestral projects, including “The Gershwin Soiree,” which he composed specifically for her. 

Cinzia is an important figure in the academic world as well, with positions in Italian music conservatories that included Chair of the Vocal Department at Universite della Musica Roma.  She developed a vocal method that is widely used in academic voice studies and is the author of several books including the 2010 JazzIt Award-winning “Jazz Vocal Basics,” making her an in-demand lecturer and master class clinician.

Cinzia’s previous jazz recordings as a leader include “93-03” (Azzurra Music) featuring Donny McCaslin, Ron McClure, Mark Copland and Marcello Pellitteri, and the debut of the Cinzia Spata Unit, “Felini” (Phrases / BMG Records.)