Cheryl Cummins is a composer of lyrics and music and has been influenced by such jazz greats as Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, and the Gershwins.
She began writing music in 2000. In a few months the number of songs written was 15. Larry Batiste, a producer in Oakland, California, agreed to work with Cheryl and together they arranged the music. Larry is a member of the Grammy Committee, has arranged songs for many televised awards programs, and is a composer himself. He gathered a number of very talented musicians, many of whom have worked with other great artists, and produced a beautiful CD, called First Bloom, which is lush, interesting and varied in texture and style.