Jane Monheit
FollowOakdale, NY
About
Jane Monheit (born November 3, 1977) is considered to be one of the most promising American jazz vocalists of her generation.
Jane Monheit was born in Oakdale, New York on Long Island. Monheit began singing professionally while attending Connetquot High School. At 17, she began to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City under the tutelage of Peter Eldridge. She earned a Bachelor's degree in music in 1999. At the age of 20, as a senior, she won the first runner-up prize at the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition.
Jane Monheit's voice has been compared to that of Ella Fitzgerald, whom she lists as one of her influences. Her recorded tracks range from jazz to MGM/RKO 1930s-1950s musicals and Brazilian rhythms such as the song "Comecar De Novo."
Her debut album Never Never Land was released in October 2000 and became an instant success. Her second CD album, Come Dream With Me, was released in May 2001. Her third album In The Sun was released in October 2002.
Her fourth album Live at the Rainbow Room was released in December 2003. A DVD entitled Live at the Rainbow Room was released to complement the CD.
Her fifth album Taking a Chance on Love was released in September 2004. It debuted at the number one spot on Billboard's traditional jazz chart and entered Billboard's top 100 pop chart the first week it was released. This album included the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow" which was included on the soundtrack for the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
The Taking a Chance on Love DVD was released in March 2005 and contains performances from the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, UK. Jane released her sixth album in October 2005; The Season, her first holiday-themed album, debuted in the top 10 on Billboard's jazz chart. Monheit told jazzreview.com it was inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas."
The singer recently signed a recording contract with Concord Records. Her most recent album "Surrender" debuted at number one on the Billboard jazz chart.
Listen at Last.fm
