Monheit, Jane
Emerald City, 2016, CD
Instrument: Female Vocals
Issue: 22.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Forget any past, cutesy perceptions you may have had about jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. She blossoms into a formidable vocalist under the guidance of producer, arranger and trumpeter Nicholas Payton. The Songbook Sessions are centered on the works of Ella Fitzgerald. That is a great start but rather than trying to emulate a legend, Monheit breathes modern day romance into a dozen classics with a convincing performance. Payton’s work shadowing on trumpet is wonderful along with solid work by Michael Kanan (p), Neal Miner (b), Daniel Sadownick (perc) and Rick Montalbano (d). Monheit shines throughout displaying a broad range, great tone, control and feel in her best work to date.
Publicist: Terri Hinte
