Page 48 - Dr Pamela Peeke

Spotlight

with Jazz songstress Jane Monheit

By Jaime V. Habert

Jane Monheit always stayed true to her roots as a jazz artist, but in her new album,
"The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me," she successfully blends contemporary tracks,
classic ballads, and Bossa Nova. After seeing Jane in concert at downtown San
Diego's live music and fine dining venue, Anthology. It is without a doubt reason to
spotlight this one-of-a-kind musician. Now, Jane opens up to San Diego Woman
aout her 9 month old son, Jack, and musical inspiration, Ivan Lins.

SDW: Hey Jane! Congrats on your son, Jack, and the release of your fabu- a difficult album to sequence, so we unfortunately had to leave out some
lous new CD, “The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me”. What inspired you to gems.
create such an interesting mix of contemporary hits and jazz standards?
Jane: Actually, the whole thing happened by accident....we made the first SDW: You and your husband, Rick Montalbano, have worked together for
half of the album when I was nine months pregnant, and so we had to take a most of your career. How is it working alongside him?
few months off before we finished the project. The first session was all very Jane: It's pretty much the best thing ever. We met playing music together,
traditional and swinging, with a couple of Brazilian tunes. I had intended for so it seems like the most natural thing in the world. We value each other's
the entire album to be that way....a "back to my roots" sort of thing, but Con- opinions very highly, and make all of our musical decisions together....it just
cord expressed interest in some more contemporary material, so the whole feels right to do things this way, and it truly works for us.
thing changed in midstream. The tunes on the record ended up spanning
nearly a century of songwriting! SDW: There are so many ways for bands to get their music heard these
days (Myspace, Facebook, etc.) Any new artists that have caught your eye?
SDW: You have spoken about your admiration for Brazilian musician, Ivan Jane: I have a ten month old, so it's pretty much Sesame Street and
Lins. What do you feel makes him such an icon? Spongebob these days......I really like Adele, though. And The Bird and the
48 Jane: I truly feel that he's one of the greatest songwriters of our time..... Bee, although they've been around a while.
his melodies are incredibly beautiful, and his use of harmony is exquisite.
Anyone can sing one of his songs....and everyone has. His own recordings SDW: Venturing out into uncharted territory, you have chosen some titles
are the most special, though....Ivan has a way of singing that is so heartfelt that don’t necessarily relate to your own experiences. Is it more difficult to
and sincere. I absolutely idolize him. sing an emotionally identifiable track or one that requires some character
association?
SDW:You have collaborated with many prominent artists. Who is the most Jane: If it isn't easy, or doesn't feel right, I don't sing it.....it's that simple.
memorable?
Jane: Definitely Ivan!!!!!!!! SDW: We at San Diego Woman love your new album, but it requires some
intense traveling. What’s it like caring for a child and performing around the
SDW:After playing so many venues, do you have any favorites? globe?
Jane: My two absolute favorites, hands down, are the Blue Note Tokyo and Jane: It's great; actually, because our whole family is together.....I have a
the old Mistura Fina in Rio, which no longer exists. I'll be playing the new lot of help from my husband and a good friend that travels with us. I have so
location next month, though, so hopefully it will be just as amazing! I don't much respect and awe for single mothers who make it all work! It makes be-
see how it couldn't be...it was the audience that made it special. ing on the road so much more fun, though.....a happy child makes the whole
world seem better.
SDW: You mention Bonnie Raitt as a major influence on you, which
prompted the addition of “I Ain’t Gonna Let You Break My Heart.” What
about this popular Bonnie Raitt anthem
spoke to you?
Jane: I remember being really excited
as a kid to discover that she had
recorded that duet with Herbie Han-
cock.....my musical worlds collided,
you know. Maybe that was the begin-
ning of my love for blending genres.
Bonnie could certainly sing any song
ever written and have it work, just
because she's so truly herself.
SDW: The album is dedicated to your
son and your former producer Joel
Dorn. How do you think Joel would
feel about this great mix of classic and
current titles?
Jane: He would have liked some of it,
and disliked some of it, I think. I think
some of the tunes we left off would
have been his favorites!!! This was
Issue 2, 2009