Improvisation is not just a technique for vocalist Cyrille Aimée . It is a way of life, one that has not only allowed her to share her engaging voice and sparkling creativity with the world, but has led her on an unexpected journey. Aimée has ventured from singing on street corners in Europe to dazzling audiences at some of the world's most prestigious jazz festivals; from sneaking out to sing in gypsy encampments in her native France to acting on Broadway; from braving the notoriously tough audiences at New York's Apollo Theater to sold-out crowds at some of the world's most revered jazz festivals. At the famed Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007, Aimée entered and won the vocal competition, recording her debut album with the prize money. It was the first of many such accolades to come, including winning the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and becoming a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition, as well as the TV5MONDE series' Talent Acoustic. Next, Aimée met Stephen Sondheim after performing his material in a tribute concert at New York's City Cetner in 2013. Everyone was there, but she was the one Sondheim singled out backstage after opening night. He told her she made him cry - quite a feat, especially considering she was fairly new to his music at the time. Now her latest album, "Move On: A Sondheim Adventure" on Mack Avenue Records is considered the acclaimed French/Dominican vocalist's best release yet. Now: brand new band, brand new life, brand new music... truly moving on. The Cyrille Aimée Septet tonight features: Cyrille Aimée - lead vocals Steve Lands - trumpet Marty Peters - saxophone Ryan Hanseler - piano Josh Starkman - guitar Lex Warsharsky - bass Jamison Ross - drums