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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Traci Wynn derived much
of her early musical influence from her stepfather, Sam
Cross Jr. Sam played sax with such legends as James Brown,
Ike & Tina Turner, the Temptations among others.
Traci would avidly listen to these artists as members of
their bands would visit for impromptu jam sessions. She
began playing the clarinet at age 8, then gravitated to
the baritone saxophone four years later. Progressing from
baritone to alto until she found a true connection with
the tenor sax, she played in her high school's jazz band,
winning accolades and placed 2nd in the annual Battle of
the Bands. It was during this time that her professional
music career truly started as founding member of The
Family Jewels. The group played with the Bob Hope USO
Tour, and shared the stage with many popular bands of the
day, including Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Santana,
and Abbey Lincoln. In its three-year existence, the
Jewels entertained small rooms and then earned listings
in such larger venues as The Hollywood Bowl, The Roxy and
The Palladium.
In college, Traci continued to study music and played in
the Los Angeles City Jazz Band and several other groups
which had an enthusiastic following on the local L.A.
club scene. Currently residing in the musical hotbed of
Atlanta, she has been playing her sax at local clubs, and
private venues including Pappadeaux, Copeland’s
Famous New Orleans Restaurant, The Intercontinental Hotel,
and Goethe Zentrum (German Cultural Center), as well as
hosting the “Jazz Communion” a monthly Sunday
event (started by Traci) held at homes throughout greater
Atlanta, and organized a fundraiser for Doctor’s
Without Borders. Additionally, she was featured playing
two of her originals on a CD of women composers sponsored
by the National Museum Of Women In The Arts and Agnes
Scott College.
Traci finds her inspiration in such pioneering artists as
Ben Webster, Lester Young, Stan Getz, and John Coltrane.
Some of her personal highlights have been venues such as:
Farsköl and Tivoli Grana Lund - Stockholm, Sweden;
American Bar and Grill - Frankfurt, Germany; World Stage
(Billy Higgins' club) – Los Angeles, CA; and The
Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. Her musical diversity
shines whether she is joined with simply a piano or
guitar, or performing with a 14 piece jazz orchestra. Her
musical styles range from Jazz, Latin (salsa & bossa
nova), and R & B, to the contemporary sounds of today.
Watch for this rising star playing jazz the way you like
it -
Smooth and Straight Ahead.
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