Physical Albums

You Are There: CD
  • You Are There: CD
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$20.00

Shawnn Monteiro is a veteran jazz singer whose conversational storytelling style and phrasing sometimes recall Carmen McRae a little although with her own musical personality. She was discovered early on by Mongo Santamaria, working in his band for two years before launching her solo career. Ms. Monteiro made her recording debut in 1993 and has since led six albums (including three for the Whaling City Sound label) with one of the highpoints being 2002’s One Special Night. In addition to teaming her with flugelhornist Clark Terry and drummer Jimmy Cobb, that album had her accompanied by her father, bassist Jimmy Woode, who is perhaps most notable for his important stint with Duke Ellington. Her new recording You Are There is dedicated to her father. This set has the singer joined by two world-class rhythm sections. The first six songs feature the recently deceased pianist Michael Renzi (a master at accompanying singers), bassist Dave Zinno and drummer Steve Langone while the second half of the set has pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Trombonist Steve Davis is a major asset on a few of the numbers while trumpeters John Allmark and Joshua Bruneau also have their moments to shine.

Shawnn Monteiro, who explores both familiar standards and a few superior obscurities, has a mature voice, a deep understanding of the lyrics that she interprets, and a solid sense of swing. She begins the program with a joyful version of “Dearly Beloved,” puts plenty of quiet feeling into Blossom Dearie’s “Inside A Silent Tear,” and is in top form on a contrasting pair of Dave Frishberg songs: the whimsical “Let’s Eat Home” and the emotional ballad “You Are There.” Renzi contributes some sparkling piano to a medium-tempo “How Deep Is The Ocean” and both the singer and trombonist Davis sound beautiful on “You’ll See.” The music stays at a high level during the second half of the set. “The Shadow Of Your Smile” has some fine scat-singing and trombone work; their interplay is one of the set’s highlights. On “Autumn Leaves,” Shawnn Monteiro begins singing the verse as a duet with Barron, states the melody with the trio for a chorus. and then in the second chorus really displays her jazz phrasing, perfectly placing her notes without losing the words or the melody. A light bossa rhythm, a fine trumpet solo and the leader’s warm singing uplift the lesser-known “Alone At Last” and she follows with a personal version of “Never Let Me Go.” A cooking “How High The Moon” is sandwiched by “I Hear Music” before the set concludes with “My Old Friend,” a heartfelt tribute to a close associate. You Are There is an enjoyable and easily recommended set full of first-class singing that features Shawnn Monteiro in top form.

Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian

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Visit Me: CD
  • Visit Me: CD
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$15.00

Exciting, captivating, and completely distinctive is how most jazz buffs describe Shawnn Monteiro's pulsating lyric style. Whether in the intimacy of a club date or the glitter of Las Vegas showrooms, Shawnn has delighted audiences from coast to coast with her highly popular jazz repertoire laced with blues oriented improvisations.

Tracks : Visit Me, After Glow, Apartment 101, Music That Makes Me Dance, The Grass Is Greener, My One And Only Love, Seven Days 'Til Spring, Where Do You Go, I'm Ready To Fall In Love, The Last Day Of Summer

Personnel: John Harrison on piano, John Allmark on trumpet and flugel horn, Dick Johnson on alto sax, Peter Kontrimas on bass and Alan Hall on drums and percussion

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To Carmen With Love: CD
  • To Carmen With Love: CD
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$15.00

This music is a tribute, for the love I have, and have had for most of my life, for Carmen. Her voice, her phrasing, her serving of the lyric and telling the story that the composer wrote. This album is sung and performed with admiration, love and the deepest respect to Carmen McRae. 12 tracks include Old Devil Moon, Yesterdays, I Concentrate On You, Old Black Magic, You're Looking at Me, Mean To me, Come In From The Rain, Miss Brown (to You), Speak Low, Nice Work, I Have The Feeling I've Been Here Before and Nature Boy. With Mike Renzi on piano, Dave Zinno on bass, and Steve Langone on drums.

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ONE Special Night with Clark Terry: CD
  • ONE Special Night with Clark Terry: CD
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$15.00

Imagine having the opportunity to step back in time and perform with some of the great jazz artists who were on the scene with Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. On June 6th 2002, I didn;t have to deam about it anymore because I found myself on the stage in the company of Jimmy Woode (my Dad), Clark Terry (my Godfather) and Jimmy Cobb (my "Papa"). It was one swingin' night. Songs include, The Lamp Is Low, Just In Time, Never Let Me Go, Blues Medley with the Mumbles Man, Let's Cool One, All My Tomorrows, The Nearness of You, and Sunday and of course some surprises!

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Jazz insights Motif Magazine

 

Cranston's Shawnn Monteiro is one of the top female jazz singers in America.  Her connections to the music world began with her late father, the renowned bassist Jimmy Woode and late godfather, the gifted trumpet great Clark Terry. Although she was actually discovered performing at a club in San Jose, California, she went on to pay her dues, so to speak, with spectacular stints all around New England.  her reputation quickly spread to NYC where she has performed numerous concerts and events throughout her lengthy career.  Shawnn has sung with many of the worlds greatest jazz performers, and a long list of famous bands. I agree with other critics that her voice reminds us of the magnificent talents of the great Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson.

Alex Henderson, Allmusic

 

It isn't hard to understand why Shawnn Monteiro would call this release One Special Night.  Recorded live at Sculler's in Boston in 2002, this CD finds the underexposed jazz singer joining forces with some of bop's true heavyweights, including trumpeter Clark terry, bassist Jimmy Woode (Monteiro's father), and drummer Jimmy Cobb; John Harrison III, a capable pianist is also on board.  

Christopher Loudon Jazz Times

 

Speaking of family outings, a few months ago Boston based chanteuse Shawnn Monteiro captured quite the jazz party when she teamed up with trumpeter Clark Terry and bassist Jimmy Woode- her godfather and father, respectively- plus drummer Jimmy Cobb and pianist John Harrison III for a couple of raise the roof evenings at Beantown's Scullers club.  The resultant blistering One Special Night is the sort of meeting of musical masterminds that comes along far too rarely.