Monica Ramey

Now that the trend of aging rockers cutting albums of show tunes and standards seems thankfully to have run its course, were back to vocalists with a real feel for and understanding of the jazz tradition doing them justice. Nashvilles Monica Ramey is a shining example. Her excellent release Make Someone Happy offers resourceful, soaring and engaging interpretations of material from The Great American Songbook. -Ron Wynn, Nashville Scene Such acclaim has become a common occurrence for Monica Ramey, a Midwest talent, joined by artists like Beegie Adair, Anthony Wilson, Clifton Davis, Jeff Steinberg, Annie Sellick, Roger Spencer, Rod McGaha, Jeff Coffin, and Lori Mechem, all of whom have expressed admiration for her work. Hailing from Francesville, one of Indianas quaintest towns, Monica grew up performing on stage alongside her mother in a high school show choir, singing and dancing. Her passion for music blossomed from a young age, culminating in a move to Nashville after earning her college degree to chase her dreams in music. There, she discovered the Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW), where she learned from some of the top jazz talents in the area and created a second family. Her long musical partnership with the legendary jazz pianist Beegie Adair defined much of her career: together, they recorded multiple albums, sold out venues across the country, particularly at Birdland Jazz Club in New York. The Tennessean once described Monica stepping onstage and opening her mouth to deliver a smooth, velvety voice formed by years of study and countless performances, putting her own fresh spin on jazz standards. Broadway World called her vocals impeccable and named her one of the best jazz vocalists. She is currently in a year long residency at NJW, curating monthly performances celebrating the Great American Composers. Outside of her performances, Monica treasures quality time with friends, family, and pets. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and gardening, and supports a variety of organizations focused on animal welfare, music, and human rights. Joining Monica for this special performance will be Billy Stritch on piano, Roger Spencer on bass and Eric Halvorson on drums.