Jane Monheit

Biography

Jane Monheit, born November 3, 1977, in Oakdale, Long Island, New York, grew up in a musically rich family environment. Her mother performed in musical theater, her father played banjo and guitar, and both her aunt and grandmother were professional singers, immersing Jane in a diverse range of musical influences from an early age. She attended the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts and later studied voice at the Manhattan School of Music under Peter Eldridge, graduating with honors in 1999. At just 20, Monheit was the first runner-up in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition, a pivotal moment that launched her professional career.

Monheit’s debut album, 'Never Never Land,' released in 2000, featured jazz luminaries such as Kenny Barron and Ron Carter, and was lauded by critics, remaining on the Billboard Jazz chart for over a year. Her subsequent albums, including 'Come Dream with Me' and 'In the Sun,' further established her as a leading voice in contemporary vocal jazz, celebrated for her warm, supple tone and interpretive depth. Monheit’s repertoire draws heavily from the Great American Songbook, and her style is characterized by a blend of technical virtuosity, emotional honesty, and a storytelling sensibility shaped by her family’s musical traditions.

Over the years, Monheit has become recognized as one of the foremost jazz vocalists of her generation, noted for her tributes to Ella Fitzgerald and her ability to breathe new life into classic standards. Her performances and recordings have earned her critical acclaim and a devoted following, cementing her legacy as a vital interpreter of jazz and popular song.

Fun Facts

• Jane Monheit often closes her performances with 'Over the Rainbow,' a signature piece for her.
• She was the youngest finalist in the history of the Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition at age 20.
• Monheit's debut album, 'Never Never Land,' was voted Best Recording Debut by the Jazz Journalists Association and stayed on the Billboard Jazz chart for over a year.
• She met her husband, drummer Rick Montalbano, while studying at the Manhattan School of Music.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Peter Eldridge - Vocal instructor at Manhattan School of Music; founding member of New York Voices (Guided Monheit's vocal development during her studies) [Late 1990s]
• Ella Fitzgerald - Major stylistic influence; subject of Monheit's tribute album (The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald) [Throughout career]

Key Collaborators

• Rick Montalbano - Drummer, husband, and frequent band member (Live performances, recordings, ongoing since debut) [1999–present]
• Michael Kanan - Pianist and frequent accompanist, especially at the Rainbow Room (Live at the Rainbow Room, regular touring band) [Early 2000s–present]
• Kenny Barron - Pianist on debut album (Never Never Land) [2000]
• Ron Carter - Bassist on debut album (Never Never Land) [2000]
• Nicholas Payton - Producer and arranger for Ella Fitzgerald tribute album (The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald) [2016]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging jazz vocalists - Monheit's interpretive style and technical mastery have inspired a new generation of jazz singers, though no widely documented direct proteges (Influence evident in contemporary jazz vocal recordings) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Taking a Chance on Love (Taking A Chance On Love)
2. A Time For Love (Surrender)
3. Taking a Chance on Love (Taking A Chance On Love)
4. Caminhos Cruzados (Surrender)
5. Honeysuckle Rose (Taking A Chance On Love)
6. Caminhos Cruzados (Surrender)
7. A Time For Love (Surrender)
8. Avalon
9. I Won't Dance (feat. Michael Bublé) (Taking A Chance On Love)
10. The Man That Got Away (Come What May)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #contemporary-jazz, #jazz, #jazz-and-blues