Cassandre McKinley

About Cassandre McKinley

Boston born and based, Cassandre McKinley is a compelling jazz and soul artist that is gifted with a powerful, rich voice, captivating presence and unmatched vocal versatility. A professional performer for almost three decades, she has been featured on national and international stages and has performed with a long list of legendary artists. But, she’s no diva – though she’ll confidently and easily weave her way through jazz standards and Soul classics alike, singing with maturity and wisdom like a true veteran, she will stop to tell you a story – unwittingly disarming you like the “girl next door” she truly is.
Cassandre began intensive vocal studies at age 14 and at age 15, was signed with a talent agent in New York City and spent the next 15 years as a voice over artist, singer, dancer, actress and print model.
in her late 20’s, she developed a deeper love and appreciation for jazz music which launched her recording career. After several independent straight-ahead releases, she was quickly recognized an emerging young talent that approached her standards with something unique - a certain depth and allure that set her apart. In 1999, she was named “the one to watch” in an article titled “Boston’s Jazz “Divas” in Arts Around Boston Magazine. Since then, she has topped jazz charts on Amazon and Barnes and Noble retailers, named Female Artist of 2000 by (expired link) and reviewed in every major industry news source and magazine including New York Times, Boston Globe, Jazz Times and JAZZIZ Magazine.
She has performed, recorded and collaborated with music greats Dick Johnson, Clay Obsorne, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Jay Geils, Fred Lipsius (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Jerry Portnoy (Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters) and Herb Pomeroy. In 2006, Cassandre was the featured performer representing Bose Corporation at the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
In 2004, Cassandre combined her love for jazz and soul and released a cross-over Marvin Gaye tribute album. Cassandre’s third release proved to be the most honest and showcased her authentic sound. What followed was an undeniable attraction by national and international fans and critics to this rare and diverse compilation. The album was soon picked up and re-issued under the well-respected MAXJAZZ label and re-titled “Til Tomorrow – Remembering Marvin Gaye”. The album was released in markets both nationally and abroad and with which legitimized her career as a prominent new artist. Her music can be heard on over 500 national and international radio stations, cable and internet music outlets including XM radio, Pandora, Spotify and iheart Radio.

Cassandre currently balances her solo career with her position as a Vocal Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.