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Jane Monheit

Blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), Jane Monheit has had plenty of milestone moments in establishing herself as one of today’s best and most important vocalist-musicians.

With her new album, The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald—the first to be released on her own Emerald City Records—the Long Island native has surprised even herself with her artistic leap. Jane had thought about recording an Ella tribute for a long time. Fitzgerald’s beloved songbook albums held “Biblical” importance for her when she was growing up and have never lost their hold on her.

On this new offering, Monheit pays joyous tribute to Ella while sharing a definitive portrait of herself, guided by her producer, arranger, and trumpet great, Nicholas Payton. Once she decided to make the dream project a reality, she had no trouble choosing titles. She jotted down a list of 25 titles “almost immediately.” She and Payton each narrowed the choices to a dozen and settled on the final list together.

“We met in the middle in a lot of ways,” Monheit says. “It all came down to trust. I had no idea what to expect from Nicholas because we had never worked together, but it was evident from the start that he is a sensitive soul and his knowledge and understanding of history was beyond compare. I felt an instant trust in him I had never felt before with any other producer.”

“This record is really different,” she adds. “It’s the first I’ve made a recording without a label and so I was able to make all the decisions myself. Honestly, when I listened back to the takes, I heard a different singer than I’ve heard before—a more mature one. It was a little scary because there’s a certain raw quality to some of the vocals but we gave no thought to fixing them. These were the vocals of a 38-year-old woman with a lot of life experience. These tracks really express who I am.”

“My first priority was to make Jane comfortable, so all she had to worry about was showing up and singing,” says Payton, who first met her in Brazil about five years ago and stayed in touch casually. “But on the other hand, I wanted to make her a little uncomfortable by pushing her into places she might not push herself. She is so multifaceted. I wanted to showcase a lot of different things she loves to do on any given night with her band that haven’t necessarily been brought forth on her recordings.”

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Album Review

Champian Fulton: Flying High - Big Band Canaries Who Soared

Read "Flying High - Big Band Canaries Who Soared" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


If memory serves, Woody Herman was once quoted as saying “it's tough to be a canary," or words to that effect. “Canary" of course, was just one of the many euphemisms used for female big band singers in the 1930s and 1940s. Herman's pointed observation was spot on. He thought, correctly, that most female singers were being evaluated--by male critics, of course--on their physical attributes primarily, not on their vocal prowess. This is no place to go into detail, but ...

7
Album Review

Ivan Lins: My Heart Speaks

Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Brazilian singer and composer Ivan Lins has recorded about fifty albums since 1970 but has not recorded one in over ten years. Now, this multiple Latin Grammy-Award winner remerges with the superb and inviting My Heart Speaks, perhaps the most impressive and lush recording of his long, distinguished career. An important feature here is the extraordinary collaboration with the 91-piece Tblisi Symphony Orchestra, the most popular orchestra from the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe, under the direction of Maestro ...

3
Album Review

Ivan Lins: My Heart Speaks

Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Ivan Lins is a Brazilian music legend and multiple Latin Grammy Award winner who has consistently delivered a unique blend of bossa nova, jazz and pop throughout his career. In this first release in over ten years, entitled My Heart Speaks, Lins performs rare gems from his catalogue backed by the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra along with guest appearances from vocalists Dianne Reeves, Jane Monheit and newcomer Tawanda, as well as trumpeter Randy Brecker. The eleven songs ...

4
Album Review

Ivan Lins: My Heart Speaks

Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright


My Heart Speaks opens with “Renata Maria," the song of a ravishing woman who emerges from the sea then disappears, leaving her would-be lover to yearn eternally. Ivan Lins composed the piece in 2004 with Chico Buarque in mind (punningly calling it a “Buarquiana brasileira"). Buarque invented the narrative later, presenting his lyric to Lins as a gift, upon the birth of his first grandchild. Kuno Schmid's score sets the scene. Warm orchestral waves wash over Lins' impassioned ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases, Holiday Fare Plus A Sampling of Grammy Nominees

Read "New Releases, Holiday Fare Plus A Sampling of Grammy Nominees" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast presents new releases from Lauren Falls, Becca Stevens, Flora Purim, Steven Feifke and Jane Monheit, with birthday shoutouts to Holly Cole, Maria Schneider and June Christy among others. A smattering of holiday fare in the second hour, but first, a focus on the latest Grammy Nominees, as it's been a better year for women. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of pandemic so they can continue to ...

3
Album Review

Jane Monheit: Come What May

Read "Come What May" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Some reviews should be easy, particularly when the artist is established, celebrated, and universally esteemed. Almost anyone interested in contemporary jazz and pop singing knows Jane Monheit. Quoting SFJAZZ directly, “In 1998, Monheit was a finalist at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Vocals Competition, taking second to the late Teri Thornton. She recorded twelve albums, was a GRAMMY nominee for her 2004 Sony release Taking a Chance on Love, and has worked with Terence Blanchard, Ivan Lins, Michael ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

New Releases, Birthday Shoutouts As Women's History Month Continues

Read "New Releases, Birthday Shoutouts As Women's History Month Continues" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


Now in full swing, Women's History Month continues—this broadcast features new releases from Jane Monheit, Rebecca Dumaine, Yelena Eckemoff, Roni Ben-Hur and Kenney Polson with birthday shoutouts to Keely Smith, Shirley Scott, Nicki Parrott, Judy Niemack, Anat Fort, Miki Yamanaka, Bobby McFerrin and Mark Murphy, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown.Playlist Nicki Parrott “On Broadway" from From New York to Paris (Arbors) 00:00 ...

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Performance / Tour

Jane Monheit digs Ella - and plans to keep on digging

Jane Monheit digs Ella - and plans to keep on digging

Source: Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes

Jazz singer Jane Monheit's musical home is the Great American Songbook. She showed a Naples, Florida audience on Friday, February 24, that with sensible bits of personal redecorating, it is still in very good hands. She performed two 75-minute sold-out shows at Artis Naples' Daniels Pavilion, sharing her love for “First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald. Material from Monheit's recording Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald (released last year on her own label, Emerald City Records) made up half of the night's ...

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Recording

"The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald," Jane Monheit's First CD On Her New Emerald City Imprint, Due For April 8 Release

"The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald," Jane Monheit's First CD On Her New Emerald City Imprint, Due For April 8 Release

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Vocalist Jane Monheit had long thought about recording an Ella tribute. Fitzgerald’s beloved songbook albums held “Biblical” importance for her when she was growing up and have never lost their hold on her. Those dreams have come to fruition with Monheit’s new album, The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald. It was the perfect maiden project for her new label, Emerald City Records, which will release the disc April 8, on the cusp of the Ella Fitzgerald centennial. On this new offering, ...

Performance / Tour

Jane Monheit Joins Jimmy Webb on October 11 At Landmark On Main Street

Jane Monheit Joins Jimmy Webb on October 11 At Landmark On Main Street

Source: Reva Cooper

Landmark on Main Street, one of Long Island’s premier concert venues, and Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the renowned summer arts day camp, will co-present Jimmy Webb and Jane Monheit on October 11th at 8:00 PM. The concert, Landmark’s 2014-15 opening night event, will for the first time team Jimmy Webb, the multi- Grammy winning composer and performer with Jane Monheit, the Grammy-nominated jazz singer and Usdan Center alumna. Tickets are available at landmarkonmainstreet.org, or by calling ...

Festival

Jazz This Week: Jane Monheit, Miles Davis Jazz Festival with Russell Gunn, New Music Circle Showcase, Tammy McCann, and More

Jazz This Week: Jane Monheit, Miles Davis Jazz Festival with Russell Gunn, New Music Circle Showcase, Tammy McCann, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's menu of jazz and creative music offerings in St. Louis includes a number of special events, most notably the annual Miles Davis Jazz Festival in Alton, plus the long-awaited return of one of the more popular female vocalists in jazz. That would be singer Jane Monheit, who's back in St. Louis to perform in a four-night engagement beginning this evening and continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. It's Monheit's first visit here since 2010 and this ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jane Monheit

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jane Monheit

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Jane Monheit's birthday today!

“I\'m one of those people who go just a little too crazy over Christmas," Jane Monheit cheerfully admits. “So in my head, I\'ve been planning and conceptualizing this album for years. I was just waiting for the right time." The “right time" now has arrived for The Season- acclaimed jazz singer Jane Monheit\'s first holiday- themed collection, her first co-production, her Epic label debut, and the fifth studio album of her ...

Education

Usdan, with Expanded Jazz Program, Holds Open Houses 2/20 and 2/24; Jane Monheit to be Visiting Faculty for 2013 Season

Usdan, with Expanded Jazz Program, Holds Open Houses 2/20 and 2/24; Jane Monheit to be Visiting Faculty for 2013 Season

Source: Reva Cooper

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the renowned summer arts day camp with an expanded Jazz Dept. for 2013, will hold free Open Houses on Wednesday February 20 and Sunday February 24, each from 11 AM to 2 PM. Attended annually by more than 1500 students ages 6-18 from New York City and throughout the Tri-State Area, transported by air-conditioned buses, Usdan is located on a magnificent 200-acre woodland campus in the Huntington area of Long Island. About ...

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Recording

New Jane Monheit CD Set For Release April 16th

New Jane Monheit CD Set For Release April 16th

Source: Muse Media

CELEBRATED VOCALIST JANE MONHEIT TO RELEASE HER 11TH CD, “THE HEART OF THE MATTER,” APRIL 16TH VIA EMARCY/DECCA RECORDS CD Traverses The Spectrum Of Popular Music Ranging From The Beatles To Broadway And Everything In-between Los Angeles, California. “The Heart Of The Matter” the 11th CD from critically-acclaimed Grammy-nominated vocalist Jane Monheit, will be released by Emarcy/Decca Records on April 16th, 2013. An homage to great songwriters and voices from across a variety of musical genres, Monheit has crafted a ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jane Monheit

Jazz Musician of the Day: Jane Monheit

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Jane Monheit's birthday today!

“I\'m one of those people who go just a little too crazy over Christmas," Jane Monheit cheerfully admits. “So in my head, I\'ve been planning and conceptualizing this album for years. I was just waiting for the right time." The “right time" now has arrived for The Season- acclaimed jazz singer Jane Monheit\'s first holiday- themed collection, her first co-production, her Epic label debut, and the fifth studio album of her ...

Event

An Afternoon With Jane Monheit at the Usdan Center (Wheatley Heights, NY) on Sunday, October 14th

An Afternoon With Jane Monheit at the Usdan Center (Wheatley Heights, NY) on Sunday, October 14th

Source: Reva Cooper

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, a TimeOutNY/Kids “Best Camp for 2012” which has just completed its 45th season, will present a special off-season event, An Afternoon With Jane Monheit, performances by the internationally acclaimed jazz singer and Usdan alumna, on Sunday October 14. The Grammy-nominated vocalist will perform two 75-minute concerts with her band, at 2 PM and then a repeat performance at 4:30 PM at Usdan’s intimate Maurice B. Hexter Recital Hall. The event is one ...

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Book / Magazine

Book Signing at Jazz Alley (Seattle) with Jane Monheit and "The Soul of Jazz" author, Trish Richardson

Book Signing at Jazz Alley (Seattle) with Jane Monheit and "The Soul of Jazz" author, Trish Richardson

Source: Trish Richardson

SEATTLE, WA: Local author Trish Richardson will be joining jazz vocalist Jane Monheit for a book signing following Monheit's performances at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley on Friday, November 18th (7:30 pm and 9:30 pm shows), Saturday, November 19th (7:30pm and 9:30pm shows), and Sunday, November 20th (7:30pm show). Doors open at 6:00pm on Friday and at 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. To make reservations for the show, contact Jazz Alley at 206-441-9729. Richardson will be promoting her recently released book, The ...

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Concerts

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Flying High - Big...

Jazz at the Ballroom
2024

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My Heart Speaks

Resonance Records
2023

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My Heart Speaks

Resonance Records
2023

buy

The Songbook...

Emerald City Records
2016

buy

Songbook Sessions:...

Emerald City Records
2016

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Videos

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