Grammy-nominated Jazz vocalist Jane Montheit lit up the stage at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut with her gorgeous vocals and engaging storytelling. Deftly pulling Jazz standards spanning from her illustrious 20-year career, Jane Monheit connected with her audience from the opening song until the resounding standing ovation. Brava!
Jane Monheit and her Band
Longtime fans of Jane Monheit, we have reviewed her albums for the past 10 years yet had never seen her perform live due to conflicting schedules. On Sunday, October 7, 2018, we finally had the opportunity to attend the Jane Monheit concert at the intimate venue, The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut; the wait was well worth it as Jane Monheit "live" was even better than her well-produced albums as she connected with her audience by sharing stories about the songs, about her background, and drew the audience in like moths to a flame. Jane Monheit not only has a gorgeous voice, she has an engaging personality that lights up a performance and makes the important connection with her audience.
Jane Monheit and her band featuring Michael Kanan on piano, Neal Miner on upright bass, and Joe Strasser on drums, opened the October 7, 2018 performance with the lovely 1949 song, My Foolish Heart, writtenby Victor Young and Ned Washington, which was a cut off her Never Never Land album.
Next on the set list was the great 1937 Cole Porter song, The Still Of The Night, off Jane’s Taking A Chance On Love album, released in 2004. Jane introduced the next song, the sassy, tongue-in-cheek, full of innuendo, Honeysuckle Rose written by Fats Waller and Andy Razaf in 1929, before sauntering into the playful lyrics clearly enjoying herself.
When Jane sang the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s My Funny Valentine, there was not a dry eye in the house, as Jane sang with such emotion that even her eyes filled with tears. Picking up the pace, Jane and the band segued into Something’s Gotta Give a cut off the 2 in Love David Benoit featuring Jane Monheit 2015 release, that felt so right.
Other highlights of the evening included the Sergio Mendez song, So Many Stars, off Jane’s 2007 Surrender album, another wonderful Cole Porter song from 1932, Night & Day, followed by the 1935 Irving Berlin song, Dancing Cheek To Cheek, and from 1948, the Cole Porter song, Too Darn Hot.
Jane also sang a wonderful selection of songs off her 2016 album, Jane Monheit, The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald, honoring the music sung by the legendary Jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald aka "Queen of Jazz," "The First Lady of Song," and "Lady Ellla."
After receiving a standing ovation from the appreciation audience, Jane returned to the stageto sing the heartfelt ballad, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, which Jane sang on her 2001 album, Come Dream With Me, providing the perfect ending to a great evening of Jazz standards with Jane Monheit and her band.
Debra C. Argen and Jane Monheit
Until next time, keep enjoying the music!
For information on Jane Monheit’s tour please visit: www.JaneMonheitOnline.com
A Sampling of upcoming Jane Monheit Shows
Jane Monheit Tour Calendar
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Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn, NY
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October 19, 2018
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Empire State Plaza Performing Arts, Albany, NY
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October 20, 2018
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Upstairs at Vitello’s, Studio City, CA
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November 8, 2018
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Purple Room Supper Club, Palm Springs, CA
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November 23, 2018
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Oneida HS Performing Arts Ctr, Oneida, NY
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December 1, 2018
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Iridium, NYC, NY
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December 13-16, 2018
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Infinity Music Hall, Hartford, CT
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January 26, 2019
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Sellersville Theater 1894, Sellersville, PA
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January 27, 2019 |
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A sampling of upcoming shows at The Ridgefield Playhouse. To see the entire calendar, please visit:
The Ridgefield Playhouse Upcoming Shows
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Phil Vassar: Crank Up The Sun Tour |
October 19, 2018 |
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Tony Danza Standards & Stories |
October 27, 2018 |
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The Lone Bellow |
October 30, 2018 |
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Art Garfunkel: In Close UP |
November 2, 2018 |
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The Official Blues Brothers Revue |
November 3, 2018 |
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David Cook – Acoustic |
November 7, 2018 |
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Christine O’Leary & Friends |
November 8, 2018 |
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Gladys Knight |
November 9, 2018 |
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Bebe Neuwirth: Stories, Song, Piano |
November 10, 2018 |
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Stephen Marley Band |
November 13, 2018 |
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Steep Canyon Rangers |
November 15, 2018 |
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Hot Tuna Acoustic |
November 25, 2018 |
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Ben Vereen: Steppin’ Out for the Holidays |
December 2, 2018 |
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Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour |
December 4, 2018 |
For tickets or information, please call The Ridgefield Playhouse Box Office: + 1-203-438-5795.
The Ridgefield Playhouse
80 East Ridge Road
Ridgefield, CT
United States
Telephone: +1-203-438-5795
Fax: +1-203-438-4543
Website: www.RidgefieldPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RidgefieldPlayhouse
Follow Jane Monheit on Facebook: www.facebook.com/janemonheit
Follow Ridgefield Playhouse on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RidgefieldPlayhouse
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