Rutherford's Kyra Cioffi Wins $1,000 Scholarship from New Jersey Jazz Society

Submitted by Sanford Josephson, NJ Jazz Society

Kyra Cioffi, who grew up in Rutherford, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship for Vocal Performance by the New Jersey Jazz Society.

A Jazz Studies major at William Paterson University in Wayne, Cioffi cites vocalist Betty Carter as her "chief musical influence. Her ability to carve spaces for vocalists in largely instrumentally-dominant spaces through the mastery of her instrument and of jazz languages has inspired me. A more contemporary vocalist who inspires me is Veronica Swift. I find her elasticity when navigating both the songbook and bebop canons mesmerizing."

Cioffi leads her own band, the Kyra Cioffi Octet, aka KCO. Based in New York City, it's a collaborative effort with bassist Logan Friedman, a fellow WPU student, who serves as Musical Director. Other band members are all William Paterson jazz majors: drummer Luke Richards, tenor saxophonist Sydney Mecca, alto saxophonist Rose Drown, baritone saxophonist Evan Gongora, guitarist Ryan Williamson, and trumpeter Seth Burke. In March, the octet performed at Chelsea Table & Stage in NYC. Cioffi also appeared in this month at the Wayne Library with pianist Tomoko Ohno,  bassist Gabe Schmid- Doyle, and drummer Maria Kolesnik, another WPU student.

Dr. David Demsey, WPU Coordinator of Jazz Studies, calls Cioffi "an extraordinarily gifted singer. When she performs, the passion of the music seems to come directly from her soul and imagination to the audience. She is very serious about the jazz lineage, and this dedication shows in every note she sings."

On July 27, Cioffi will perform during brunch at 1776 in Morristown, NJ, and on August 21, she'll appear from noon-1 p.m. at the Kearny Library with pianist Leonieke Scheuble's Quintet. Scheuble is a 2024 William Paterson graduate., who grew up in Rockaway.

The NJJS Juried Scholarship Competition was initiated in 2022, with $1,000 and $500 scholarships awarded for Instrumental Performance and Composition. This year, a Vocal Performance category was added, thanks to the support of NJJS Board members Mike Katz and Jackie Wetcher. The competition is also generously supported by Nan Hughes Poole and Board member Cynthia Feketie.

The competition is open to all New Jersey college students currently enrolled in a college undergraduate music program and to New Jersey residents currently enrolled in an out-of-state college undergraduate program. For the latter, proof of residency is required.

Along with the cash awards, winners receive guidance, mentorship, the opportunity to perform with an industry professional, and coverage in Jersey Jazz Magazine.  Judges are: Don Braden, tenor saxophonist/flutist, composer and educator; Ted Chubb, trumpeter and educator; Jason Olaine, Vice President of Programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center; and Mariel Bildsten, trombonist, bandleader and educator.