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| Monika Ryan atThe Metropolitan Room June 25th & July 19th Monika Ryan Appearing at The Metropolitan Room Saturday, June 25, 9:30-10:30 pm Tuesday, July 19th 7:00 pm Monika Ryan: Vocals David O'Rourke: Guitar Steve Einerson: Piano Rene Hart: Bass Joe Strasser: Drums Jazz vocalist Monika Ryan, started singing professionally at the age of 15 and had management by 16, working around New York City and under mentorship of musicians like Houston Person. With his recommendation, she applied and entered the world renowned New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, where she further honed her craft studying with Jackie Paris, Sheila Jordan, Buster Williams, Reggie Workman, Chico Hamilton, Charli Persip, Junior Mance, Arnie Lawrence, and many other jazz luminaries. At 18 years old Monika started singing with Charli Persip's big band, "Precipitation, " and working at nightclubs and concert halls around New York. Through these concerts, she met and started working at premier clubs and venues in New York City with other greats, such as Al Grey, Gene Bertoncini, and Larry Ham. At 23 Monika was hired by Carnegie Hall to perform for 2 seasons of its "Neighborhood Concert Series." During that time she recorded in Carnegie Hall's studio with legendary guitar player Gene Bertoncini and Carnegie Hall studio engineer, Leszek Wojcik. In 2000, she produced her first solo recording of all original material, "Love". The album met with critical acclaim and brought her to the Montreal Jazz Festival. A year later, she followed up with her second album, "Duo, " a collection of standards and original material with guitarist Satoshi Inoue, and then toured Japan with Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, Satoshi Inoue, Akira Tana and Kiyoshi Kitagawa as part of The Big Apple In Nonoichi Jazz Festival. A year she later, returned to Japan to tour with James Williams, John Lockwood, Bill Pierce, Satoshi Inoue, and Tony Reedus. In 2014, Monika released her third recording, "Involution." An eclectic and original collection of songs across a variety of genres, "Involution" is a meditation on the cycle of expansion and contraction in all things. Earlier in 2016, Monika completed a largely improvised jazz album with pianist Chris White, titled "Sketches." Her latest recording, "Fly, " was just released this month—a modern pop/jazz concept piece that aims to take listeners on an intelligent journey, while remaining fun and accessible listening. Monika will spend the balance of 2016 both recording and touring, with three more recordings scheduled, and shows in Hong Kong, Chicago, New York, Belfast, and Dublin. Stay tuned! write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Jazz News :: home page |