With a voice that exudes warmth and sophistication, dazzling jazz vocalist Jane Monheit is renowned for her innovative interpretations of Great American Songbook standards, from ballads to blues. Catapulted to stardom at age 20 for her immense musical talent, Monheit has spent the last two decades touring the globe, collaborating with jazz luminaries and legends, and appearing in guest performances on Late Night with David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show and more.
During her childhood, Monheit studied woodwinds and piano, spent a decade performing in award-winning choirs, and participated in community theater on Long Island. Throughout, her focus remained on jazz, especially innovative interpretation of the Songbook. During her senior year at the prestigious Manhattan School Of Music, she placed second in the Thelonious Monk Competition, now known as the Hancock Competition. This led to an incredible career trajectory, launching Monheit into the jazz stratosphere nearly overnight.
By 22, Monheit was working with legends such as Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter and Kenny Barron, recording her first albums, and touring the globe. This led to collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Terence Blanchard, Ivan Lins, Tom Harrell, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, Vince Mendoza, Jorge Calandrelli and many more. Countless television appearances followed, and several successful film soundtracks have also included Monheit’s music, including Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow and Never Let Me Go.
After more than 20 years and 12 studio albums, Monheit has continued to tour the world nearly nonstop, headlining at nearly every legendary jazz club on the planet, most notably New York stalwarts such as the Village Vanguard and Birdland. In addition to touring, she also writes English lyrics for Brazilian musician and Latin Grammy-winner Ivan Lins, and she continues to use the knowledge and experience she has gained both at Manhattan School Of Music and on the legendary bandstand circuit to educate and uplift students worldwide. Monheit resides in Los Angeles with her husband of more than 20 years, drummer Rick Montalbano, and their son.
