Kim Cypher, Wendy Kirkland, Pat Sprakes, Kim & Mike Cypher Band

Kim Cypher is one of the UK’s most exciting female saxophonists, vocalists and composers, having developed her own unique ‘funky’ style of saxophone playing, built upon influences by great players such as Gerald Albright, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Andy Sheppard, Dean Fraser, Courtney Pine and Grover Washington. Kim trained alongside American saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis (saxophonist with James Brown and Van Morrison) and internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard. Kim’s vocal style has been influenced by the great Billie Holiday together with a wide range of vocalists including Imelda May, Caro Emerald and Liane Carroll.

Inspired by the funkier side of jazz, Kim’s style of performance is best described as ‘funky saxophonist meets 1940?s jazz singer’. Kim performs an eclectic mix of music spanning many genres with a quirky, jazzy twist together with her own original material, all packaged up in a captivating performance and warm stage presence.

Kim’s debut album ‘Make Believe’ was released end of 2016, receiving a glowing review from London Jazz News. Following an album launch event at The Queen’s Hotel Cheltenham, Kim and her band are currently performing a series of album tour dates across the UK and overseas including Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival and a London debut at The Pheasantry Chelsea. Music from the album has been featured on BBC Radio 2 Clare Teal’s show in August 2017.

Kim has performed alongside some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians including Dave Newton (piano), Clive Morton (double bass), Alex Steele (piano), Remi Harris (guitar), Andy Sheppard (saxophone) with regular band personnel including highly acclaimed musicians Lee Jones (guitar), Tom Clarke-Hill (double bass), Rory McInroy (piano) and Chris Cobbson (guitar). Kim recently collaborated with US guitarist B.D. Lenz and his band during their 2017 UK album tour.

Kim was commissioned to perform a private event for the Prime Minister Theresa May in August 2017.

In 2016 Kim was flown to New York with her jazz quartet for a private jazz performance at The Glasshouses Manhattan as well as performing for all kinds of events across the UK and recording her album ‘Make Believe’.

Kim started playing saxophone at age 9 and achieved Grade 8 practical and theory of music with distinction by age 14.

She studied Expressive Arts at St Paul’s & St Mary’s College in Cheltenham where she was awarded a First Class Honours for her original musical composition for saxophone, clarinet, Peruvian pipes and percussion.

Prior to turning professional as a musician, Kim was Head of Music at a primary school in Gloucester for 17 years. She has also been a saxophone tutor at the Cheltenham Boys College and a tutor at the Cheltenham Rock School.

Kim has appeared on national TV and Radio and has recorded as a session musician on a variety of recordings.

Kim formed Dancin’ Easy, one of the South West’s busiest and most popular party bands, along with her husband and drummer, Mike, over 20 years ago.

In addition to Dancin’ Easy, Kim leads her own jazz quartet, ‘The Kim Cypher Quartet’ as well as performing with many other bands and recording as a session musician.

Kim is an accomplished jazz vocalist and composer, having written many origianl songs that combine her saxophone playing and singing. In December 2014 Kim was selected to be ‘Artiste In Residence’ at prestigious venue The Daffodil in Cheltenham based on the popularity and appeal of her vocal and saxophone performances.

Kim’s debut album ‘Make Believe’ was released November 2016 and includes some original saxophone and vocal compositions.