Home » Jazz Musicians » Cynthia Basinet
Cynthia Basinet
Cynthia Basinet (who is often called “C” by her friends) has had a colorful and successful life in several fields, and she is just getting started. She is an exquisite and glamorous singer with a highly expressive voice and a real feel for American standards. Her most recent single is a haunting rendition of “Cry Me A River.”
“I was raised on jazz,” says Ms. Basinet. “My Dad used to play records by Ella, John Coltrane and many others. In fact, my mother has said that I heard jazz while still in my womb.” Born in the San Fernando Valley, she was raised in the Silicon Valley near San Francisco. Classically trained on flute and saxophone (playing first chair in her school bands),she also sang opera while loving the American popular songbook.
After studying sociology and business in college, Cynthia’s life took a different turn. She married, gave birth to a son, Jonathan and divorced. She was discovered and became a model, working in San Francisco and for five years in Europe. While she performed in music videos and advertisements, she did not have many opportunities to sing while in Europe. After moving back to Los Angeles in 1990, she appeared in music videos by Roy Orbison and the Babys, and made the natural transition from modeling to commercials to acting. But tiring of playing roles written by others, she acted out on her desire to become a singer. Cynthia’s natural musical abilities, along with a very good vocal coach, resulted in her making her first recordings including the now iconic, “Santa Baby” in 1997 and two years later founding the Welcome To Dreamsville label.
In 2000, Cynthia Basinet launched her previously recorded version of “Santa Baby” that caused a sensation. “It cost $300 to produce as it was originally a gift for a lover, then launched on a used computer via MP3.com and in less than six weeks it was heard in 163 countries. I used to have Eartha Kitt’s famous recording on my answering machine around Christmas time. Oddly enough, a lot of people think it is Marilyn Monroe on my version although Marilyn never sang it resulting in stampede of Marilyn impersonations and versions.” In reality, Cynthia Basinet’s memorable rendition sounds very much like herself, full of inner heat and sensuality.
Very concerned about social issues, Cynthia has walked the walk. During May-June 2001, she sang for refugees in the Western Sahara desert, successfully helping to bring the world’s attention to the dire situation. She has continued working on humanitarian efforts up to the present time, using her music to help make the public aware about very serious situations including the environment and the importance of self-reliance. Due to her efforts, in 2005 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize project.
Read moreTags
Discovering Truth Featuring Cynthia Basinet - Santa Baby
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
Cynthia Basinet’s Own Rendition of Eartha Kitt’s Classic, “Santa Baby” Showcases Such Incredible Vocal Talent That It Should Be Applauded More and Compared Less! You have probably listened to so many renditions of Joan Javits, Phillip Springer, and Eartha Kitt’s 1953 cheeky and catchy classic “Santa Baby.” I too have, but one particularly stands out, and that is Cynthia Basinet’s own cover of the song. When I first heard it, I was awe-inspired and curious to know the person behind ...
read more
Cynthia Basinet Releases Single 'Biggest Fool Of All'
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
The saying “calm before the storm" doesn't usually fit with singer-songwriters. Typically, the “storm" part happens first when they're trying to find inspiration. After that, they put their emotions into music theory and genre with growing confidence. And the subsequent emotional quotient of the fully-fledged song is immediately apparent to the listener who can gauge the intentions of the singer and the songwriter: with the onus being on the arrangement and performance to breathe life and zest into the lyrical ...
read more
Cynthia Basinet Releases Stunning Version Of ‘if Every Day Was Like Christmas’
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
There are few talents in the world who can claim to have been a fashion model, an actress, a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and a jazz vocalist, but celebrated singer—songwriter Cynthia Basinet has ticked all those boxes, having built her career in the entertainment industry while being heavily involved in humanitarian work too. Spending many years between the metropolis of Los Angeles, New York and the music capital of Nashville, Cynthia Basinet first made a name for herself in the ...
read more
Cynthia Basinet Interview New York Lifestyles Magazine February 2023
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
New York Lifestyle Magazine Interview With Cynthia Basinet Innovator + Trendsetter + Humanitarian By Ann Grenier | Photos by Vital Agibalow for Hensel Hair & Makeup by John Henry Edington
Among the iconic sounds of the recent Holiday season is the song “Santa Baby.” Initially recorded by Eartha Kitt in the early 1950s, the song has remained relevant with its contemporary sound by Cynthia Basinet – one of the seductive voices in the music scene. Cynthia was a classically ...
read more
Santa Baby’s Cynthia Basinet Helps Others Shine The Light On Civility In Her First Book, 'How To Be Civil In An Uncivil World'
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
How to be Civil in an Uncivil World By Cynthia Basinet Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 116 pages | ISBN 9781480892712 E-Book | 116 pages | ISBN 9781480892729 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble Ring in the holidays with a little civility from Nobel nominated, critically acclaimed, sultry crooner Cynthia Basinet’s first self-improvement book How to be Civil in an Uncivil World offers a collection of quotes collected by the author to help ...
read more
Cynthia Basinet's 'The Standard' Setting A New Standard
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
Cynthia Basinet is a shared Nobel Peace Prize nominated and critically acclaimed singer, actress, activist and innovator. Musically she is best known for her iconic rendition of “Santa Baby”- often mis-credited to Marilyn Monroe- originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953. The second track ‘The Christmas Song’ is another Christmas classic originally recorded by the Nat King Cole trio in 1946. Truthfully, we were browsing for X-mas tracks back in November when we came across The Standard. Initially we planned ...
read more
UbumtuFM's Exclusive Interview For International Women's Day With Cynthia Basinet
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
UbumtuFM's Exclusive interview for International Women's Day with Cynthia Basinet, a multi-talented American actress, singer, supermodel, mother and activist for the Western Saharan Sahrawi people, from the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles county. Life is a journey. Cynthia's journey took her to the top of various interlocking disciplines and roads less traveled. In this exclusive interview we'll attempt to paint the full picture and put some perspective on the life and career of this remarkable woman. Thank you, Cynthia for ...
read more
Review | Cynthia Basinet | "The Standard" | USA | Setting A New Standard...
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
Cynthia Basinet is a shared Nobel Peace Prize nominated and critically acclaimed singer, actress, activist and innovator. Musically she is best known for her iconic rendition of “Santa Baby”—often mis-credited to Marilyn Monroe—originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953. The second track “The Christmas Song" is another Christmas classic originally recorded by the Nat King Cole trio in 1946. Truthfully, we were browsing for X-mas tracks back in November when we came across The Standard. Initially we planned to put ...
read more
"Santa Baby" Crooner Cynthia Basinet Attends L.A. Jazz Society Tribute Awards 2017
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
Nobel Nominated Jazzy pop crooner, actress and activist Cynthia Basinet best known for her iconic sultry version of, “Santa Baby" attended the Jazz Tribute Awards and Concert Saturday night honoring FOX's Seth MacFarland and the legendary, Johnny Mandel. Leonard Martin presented Seth MacFarland with the 2017 David L. Abell Angel Award for his focus on music, literature and philanthropy. Quincy Jones presented his “brother from another mother," Johnny Mandel with the Jazz Tribute Celebrating A Life Of Achievement. Their mutual ...
read more
Cynthia Basinet Remake "All Of Me" Slated To Be One Of The Top Of The Pops Summer Hits
Source:
Cynthia "c." Basinet
New York, NY: The American songstress, Cynthia Basinet best known for sultry pop jazz combo standards and her iconic version of “Santa Baby" (the only one to receive the seal of approval from Eartha Kitt) has stepped outside of her typical genre and just released a dance remake of John Legend's “All Of Me”. Teaming up with the hot producers Klubjumpers the flawless performer, whose resonating, haunting vocals have turned out what will be one of the Top Of The ...
read more
"What a knock out!" -Dick Hughes, Jazz Action Productions
"Excellent artist and songs." -Wyn Machon, Oamaru Heritage Radio
"The sound of your voice is a pearl to my ear!." -Paul van Kuik, Radio 0162
"American Actress Cynthia Basinet truly uncovers her talents with this EP 4 track offering on UNCOVERED. She's got the looks, style, and ability to deliver a tune. A class act!" -Helen Simons, The JazzXpress Caravan Jazz Radio 94.1FM Australia
"...This EP is definitely a keeper, and with another EP and a full length album out there, there's plenty more Cynthia Basinet to get your teeth into. Go forth and enjoy." -Zeitgeist UK
