André Cymone

André Cymone
Name	André Cymone
Genres	Pop, Funk, R&B, New Wave
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter, Record Producer, Bassist
Instruments	Bass guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Years active	1970s–present
Labels	Columbia, Mirage, Motown

André Cymone André Cymone is an American musician, songwriter, bassist, and record producer known for pioneering pop-funk arrangements in the late 1970s and 1980s. He rose to prominence through early collaboration with Prince and later for solo albums that blended funk, R&B, and new wave influences. Cymone subsequently wrote and produced for notable artists across Motown, Geffen, and other labels, influencing the sound of contemporary pop and contemporary R&B.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Cymone grew up in the same Twin Cities scene that produced artists associated with First Avenue and the Minneapolis sound. He attended local schools and performed with neighborhood bands that intersected with musicians from North High School and members of ensembles linked to Hennepin County events. Cymone's formative years overlapped with peers involved in the regional circuits connected to venues like The Depot and organizations such as Minnesota Music Coalition.

Career beginnings and collaboration with Prince

Cymone's early career intertwined with Prince, who was active in Minneapolis and signed with Warner Bros. Records. They formed part of a circle including members of bands associated with The Time, Morris Day, and session musicians tied to Paisley Park Records. Cymone played bass in ensembles that performed at events alongside acts affiliated with Prince projects, contributing to recordings that involved producers connected to Sheila E., Wally Safford, and engineers who worked at studios like Sound 80. This period linked Cymone to networks that included artists from Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, and session players who've worked with Columbia Records and Atlantic Records artists.

Solo recording career

Cymone launched a solo career with releases on major labels, producing albums that charted on listings maintained by Billboard. His solo output incorporated collaborators from studios used by Prince and session personnel who later worked with Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Vanity 6. Singles from his albums received airplay on stations programmed by directors associated with Clear Channel Communications chains and featured in rotations alongside tracks by Michael Jackson, Rick James, Chaka Khan, and Sade. Cymone's records were handled by labels that had distribution deals involving Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and legacy imprints such as Motown that managed catalogs for artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

Songwriting and production work

After establishing himself as a solo artist, Cymone transitioned into songwriting and production for other performers under contracts with firms linked to ASCAP and BMI. He co-wrote and produced tracks for artists signed to MCA Records, Virgin Records, and Epic Records; collaborators included musicians and executives associated with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Babyface, Timbaland, Dr. Dre, and producers who worked on projects by Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Cymone's production credits connected him to tours and sessions involving acts represented by agencies like Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor. His songwriting placed him in liner notes alongside composers who contributed to soundtracks for films released by Universal Pictures and Warner Bros..

Later projects and reunions

In later decades, Cymone participated in reunions and projects that revisited the Minneapolis sound, collaborating with contemporaries from groups affiliated with First Avenue and artists who performed at festivals like Coachella and SXSW. He joined recording sessions with musicians connected to tribute events honoring figures such as Prince, James Brown, and Sly Stone, and appeared on compilations distributed by labels connected to Rhino Entertainment and legacy curators from Concord Music Group. Cymone took part in interviews and panels at institutions including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-adjacent programs and music conferences hosted by organizations like GRAMMY Museum and panels organized by NAMM.

Personal life and legacy

Cymone's personal associations include long-standing ties with the Minneapolis creative community that spawned bands linked to The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, and solo artists such as Prince and Jellybean Johnson. His influence is cited by musicians and producers on credits for releases on Motown, Warner Records, and independent labels that manage catalogs related to funk and R&B. Cymone's legacy is recognized in retrospectives by publications and institutions that document American music history, including archives curated by Minnesota Historical Society, exhibitions at Walker Art Center, and programming at First Avenue. He remains referenced in discographies and liner note compilations alongside artists celebrated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in scholarly work on regional music movements.

Category:American musicians Category:Record producers