Artist description Monika Brand, 25, has loved music passionately her entire life. In her first year of high school she had already begun to publicly perform jazz standards, and held her first solo benefit concert at the age of 16. Soon thereafter left high school early to study at the world-famous Manhattan-based New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During her time there, she quickly gained the attention of some of the famous jazz artists on the faculty-she was hired to sing in one professor's big band, and was consistently referred by other teachers for prestigious gigs. She started singing at exalted venues in New York like Birdland, The Supperclub and The Blue Note as a solo artist and featured vocalist in large groups. These experiences helped Monika gain her expert knowledge of the jazz idiom and contributed towards the confidence that is now a signature of her current style. Following her graduation in May 1997, she continued to perform in New York. Her first post-college success was leading a band at Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood Concert Series for two seasons. Her work there was an immensely satisfying professional experience, and this episode of her life has had a huge impact on her present approach to music. Most recently, Monika Brand produced, performed and released her first CD, Love, in summer of 2000. Comprised of ten songs that she wrote and performed, the recording is a culmination of her immersion in both classic and modern jazz, and her experiences as a performer since the early stages of her life. The compositions offer honest, thoughtful reflections on romance and life, wrapped in the sultry ambience and mystery that is a hallmark of the greatest music in jazz. Ms. Brand is currently writing new songs and continuing to perform as she prepares to record her next project.

Music Style Vocal Jazz

Musical Influences American Popular Song, World Music, Free Jazz, Classic Jazz

Group Members Monika Brand

Instruments Vocals, Piano, Organ, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Albums Love

Press Reviews "...Last, but not least, there is Monika Brand. And, yes, the name is unfamiliar. At 25, working mostly around New York City, Brand is virtually unknown. But her first album, "Love" (***, on her own label, available solely from http://www.monikabrand.com) is the work of a talented, potentially important young artist. Like Jane Monheit, she has a surprisingly mature understanding of the elements of jazz; unlike Monheit, she has not been the beneficiary of a major marketing campaign. Perhaps even more importantly, Brand has composed all her material, and most of it is both impressive and memorable. Her voice, with its slight buzz, has the unique sound one hopes for in a jazz singer, and Brand hums and scats with a firm understanding of the harmonic flow of the music. As with any maiden outing, the album has its ups and downs, but the pluses far outweigh the few missteps, and the entire project radiates with the presence of a talent with a major future."LA Times. By DON HECKMAN ****************************************“Monika Brand is a young emerging female jazz vocalist who is beginning to get attention in New York. After graduating from The New School University, she has been active in New York’s jazz scene. Currently she has a regular duo gig with one of her teachers, guitarist, Satoshi Inoue. Love, her debut CD, consists of all original material, which is a daring and wild move that demonstrates her talent as a songwriter. Her CD consists of lots of little love stories, which are like scenes from movies. "Her singing style is urban and contemporary which is fresh, at the same time it pays homage to traditional jazz vocals and reflects the Standard Jazz Repertoire."Jazz Life Magazine****************************************"When young and gifted jazz vocalist Holly Cole switched her stylistic focus to pop music a few years ago, a gap opened and was quickly filled by Diana Krall. Ms. Krall had better watch her back with the arrival of young Monika Brand, especially since Ms. Brand wrote all the material on her disc. Her way with traditional, yet contemporary, phrasing (which was at times reminiscent of Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer), proves her to be a natural for jazz. Ms. Brand has composed a cool set of songs with the potential to become standards. The snappy "Greed, Self-Worship, and Love," the retro "Knock Knock," and jazz ballads such as "Little Flower" and "Hold Me Tonight," could easily become fixtures on the jazz circuit. The Latin-tinged sounds of "All The Sudden," "Sweet Summer Nights," and "Wild Dreams" (on which she does a bit of scatting worthy of Yoko Ono) show her versatility, while Brand sounds sincerely grateful on the song "Thank You," in which she tests her pop chops with good results."Next Magazine

Location New York, NY - USA

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