Thoughts of Reginald Cyntje

Trombonist, educator and activist Reginald Cyntje was born on an island named Dominica in 1976. When he was 6 months old, he moved with his family to St. Thomas, VI. His love affair with music began 12 years later. The trombone became Reginald’s tool of expression while studying with Dr. Leroy Trotman. Anyone that has heard him perform knows that he is passionate about his craft. “I love life and I illustrate that every time I play my horn. I want the audience to experience all of me; my love, anger, sorrow, or joy. I open up myself so that they and I can embark on a spiritual journey together.”

Reginald Cyntje absorbed the sounds of calypso, reggae, and other African influenced music, which now give his trombone playing a personal approach to jazz. In 1993 he began to study jazz trombone at the Berklee College of Music and performed with well-know artists such as Roy Hargrove, Bill Pierce, Phil Wilson, and later at Howard University with Bobby McFerrin and McCoy Tyner.

Reginald Cyntje leads his own groups to include the Reginald Cyntje Group and the DC Jazz Collaborative. With a philosophy of healing through tone poems, he has performed and/or recorded with Nasar Abadey, Amiri Baraka, Ron Blake, Michael Bowie, Herman Burney, Marc Cary, George Duke, Illinois Jacquet and his Orchestra, Sean Jones, Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra, Pedro Martinez, Rene’ McLean, New Life Jazz Orchestra, Dion Parson and the 21st Century Band, Nicholas Payton, Victor Provost, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Reuben Rogers, Vanessa Rubin, Terrell Stafford, Gary Thomas, Dr. Billy Taylor, Myron Walden, Andrew White, Bruce Williams, Larry Willis and other fine musicians.

The concept of his music ministry is to spread love, peace and social justice with each expression. In concert he paints a colorful musical landscape that takes you from drinking your favorite wine at an elegant jazz club to enjoying a daiquiri on a beautiful Caribbean beach.