The District's jazz scene is known for, if anything, the soulful players that develop within it. There is a certain groove to the D.C. sound that has developed through a combination of highly trained musicians, a rich legacy, and a community that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. These performers share a deep commitment to craft and to the integrity of live performance.

Trombonist Reginald Cyntje (pronounced sin-chee) is one of the many young area musicians who personify this ethos. Not only is he a fine horn player and composer, but his desire to spread the word of live jazz has led him to organize a series of free monthly concerts this year in order to bring jazz to the community-at-large.

"The thing that makes live music special is the connection between the audience and the performer," Cyntje said. "You cannot recreate that with any technology."

Cyntje's musical journey begain on the island of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where at age 12 he began studying music and eventually chose the trombone as his main vehicle for expression. His experiences in St. Thomas led him to studies at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts, and later to Boston's Berklee College of Music.

Since arriving in D.C., Cyntje has become a regular in the local jazz scene and a first-call trombonist for many of the area's finest jazz musicians. In addition to steady work as a leader, Cyntje has played as a sideman with the likes of Todd Marcus, Thad Wilson, Nasar Abadey, and others. He has also backed national touring acts as they come through town and as if he needed even more to keep him busy, his upbringing and experience in the Virgin Islands has led to work with calypso, reggae, and other African influenced ensembles. This wealth of experience and commitment to local jazz made Cyntje an obvious choice for this month's Three Stars feature.

Visit Reginald online at: www.cyntjejazz.com or www.myspace.com/reginaldcyntjegroup

See him next: The next show in the Community Concert Series is going to be at Twins Jazz on Saturday, March 15 at 3 p.m.

Questions for Reginald Cyntje:

What are some highlights of your background and how does coming from St.Thomas affect your outlook and music?

Growing up in St.Thomas was like a melting pot. There was reggae from Jamaica, calypso, soca, and quelbe, the Caribbean's version of jazz and West African music, as well as different musical styles from the mainland United States, including jazz and European classical music. All these styles influenced my musical ideas. I began playing European classical music in the seventh grade and in ninth grade fellow musician and friend, Amin Gumbs, introduced me to jazz. I fell in love right away.

This year you are playing a series of concerts with your group. How did the concert series come about and who are the musicians in your band?

Currently, I'm using the gifts of Herman Burney on bass, Amin Gumbs on drums, John Lee on guitar, and Todd Marcus on bass clarinet. Each concert will feature musicians in the band along with other gifted artists like Allyn Johnson and Nasar Abadey.

My first gig as a band leader was on March 12, 1998 at the historic One Step Down and it included Allyn Johnson on piano, Leonardo Lucini on bass, and Clyde Adams on drums. Over the years many people in the music community always told me that they would love to come out to a performance but couldn't because the performances were too late at night, too expensive, or not accessible. I have always thought that the best way to celebrate was by giving. So to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Reginald Cyntje Group, I decided to give one concert a month at various venues around the D.C. area at a time and price that would be convenient to everyone.

You also play in a number of projects around town as a sideman. Who are some musicians you look forward to playing with and why?

I love playing with every musician. I learn from everyone I play with. Each individual brings their own style and flavor to the music that we are playing. Whether it's Jazz, afro beat, funk, reggae, calypso, quelbe, Latin American music, etc, each has it's own demands and disciplines. The individuals that I work/study with give me the insight on how to articulate that style of music effectively.

What is your approach to music, in terms of both playing and composing? How does the ensemble you are working with affect your mindset, both as a player and a writer?

Practicing is part of my day to day life. Everyday I strive for perfection. I spend hours practicing so I can clearly articulate the nuances of any given song. Every great composer I have worked with or studied I've tried to learn from their human condition. We all have a technical understanding for our chosen craft, but the element that makes that technique real to people outside our professions is what I pay attention to when I compose or I'm listening to a composition. Being a trombone player, I am placed in a position while working in many ensembles to hear the melody being played by another instrument while I'm playing the harmony or counterpoint line. You can say I receive the inside scoop from many written compositions.

Do you have any plans to record your work?

Unlike many of my peers, I'm not in a rush to record. I've recorded with many musicians in a variety of situations. I want my first album to be one that I can look back on twenty years from now and be proud of. My mentor, Steve Turre, recorded his first album as a leader at the age of 33 and this was after working with Woody Shaw, Art Blakey, and many other masters of jazz. Other mentors of mine like Ron Blake also waited until later in their careers to record.

What are your short and long term plans as far as your music is concerned? Any recording or touring in the works?

My musical goals are to be able to articulate the beauty of life effectively. I am always touring in a variety of situations and I plan on releasing a single entitled "Cyntje's Groove (Peace and Love)" followed by an album at a later date.

What are your thoughts on the state of D.C.'s local jazz scene? Who are the musicians you most enjoy?

The D.C. jazz scene is filled with local artists that are also international. The bass players in this city maintain a special quality that is being lost in many other places and that is the dance in jazz. My favorite musicians are those that honestly play from their heart and use their knowledge of music to heal people.

The D.C. scene is good, but has the potential to be much better if some of the local masters would take an active role in mobilizing mentorship programs for the local scene. When I lived in New York many elders and statesmen of jazz hung out at many jazz late sessions. You could be on the band stand and your favorite musician that you respect would walk into the session and sit and listen or join you on stage. You never knew who would be listening to you when you performed, so musicians were always on top of things. D.C. has the talent to ensure the same outcome. The entire music community would benefit from this. Every musician would have to go through a right of passage so to speak.

Who are some young up-and-coming local musicians we should watch?

There are too many to list. I suggest all music lovers go out to local jam sessions and other music bars and pick their favorites.

Do you have any notable gigs coming up outside of your band's concert series?

My main focus is the Community Concert Series. We need funding so the musicians can get paid. I am asking for sponsorships from businesses and donations from individuals so that the community can enjoy free concerts featuring some of their favorite musicians in places close to home. I've received some help but more is needed. People can help with money, time, promotion, product donation, or other services. Any help is necessary and greatly appreciated because no amount time and/or money is too small.

Anyone interested in supporting the Community Concert Series can find more information here.

Photo by Leon James from Reginald Cyntje's MySpace page