In celebration of the 30th Annual Adirondack National Exhibition of American Water-colors, The Montalbano Trio, featuring international jazz vocalist, Jane Monheit, will perform at View in “Bistro and the Gallery,” on Thursday, September 22.
The Art Exhibition opens at 5 p.m. in the Gallery, followed by the performance in an Italian bistro setting in Gould Hall at 7 p.m.
Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit has performed in concert halls, cabarets and jazz venues around the globe.
She has released eight albums and two DVDs and has appeared as guest artist for other projects, that include singing, Over the Rainbow, in the movie Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
She has also appeared on numerous television shows including Emeril, Ramsey Lewis’ Legends of Jazz, the Late Show with David Letterman, The View, and the Today Show.
Her first album, Never Never Land, was voted top debut recording by the Jazz Journalist’s Association and stayed on the Jazz Billboard chart for over a year. Her latest album, “Home,” was released in 2010.
“I’ll be planning the next album soon. We are on the road all the time and we just started thinking about getting ready for it,” she said.
Born and raised in Oakdale on Long Island, Monheit said she grew up in a musical family and singing just came naturally to her.
She said she spent summers as a child at Usdan Center for Creative and Performing Arts, a summer arts camp on Long Island for promising 6 to 18 year olds.
After graduating from high school, where she was already performing professionally, she went on to study voice at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
She graduated with honors in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music.
While attending the school she met her future husband, Rick Montalbano, Jr. of Rome, who also came from a musical family.
His father, Rick Montalbano, Sr., a central New York jazz legend, is a well known jazz pianist, composer and arranger, who has performed with Aretha Franklin, Chuck Mangione and Clark Terry.
Consequently, Rick Jr. has been playing drums professionally since he was in his early teens.
While in high school he was selected as one of five musicians to be awarded a scholarship from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and he received a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music.
He and Jane began performing and touring together while attending the Manhattan School of Music and they later married. They have a three-year-old son, who Monheit said is also showing signs of musical talent.
“He’s already singing and playing drums. We spend most of the year touring with the band and he comes with us on the road. We keep our family together,” she said.
Monheim said she has nothing but praise for her father-in-law, Rick Montalbano, Sr., and is looking forward to singing at his upcoming show at View.
“I’m honored and thrilled with the opportunity. He has an incredible history as a musician with all of the amazing things he’s made happen and kept alive here in this area. My husband will be there with me and there’s going to be a lot of love on the stage. I think it will be a really beautiful show,” she said.
Light bistro fare, beer and wine will be available for purchase during the show.
Tickets are limited and are $35, $25 for View members.
They can be purchased by stopping by or calling View at (315) 369-6411.
