Rick Montalbano News

On October 23 and 24, singers Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso and singer/pianist/arranger Billy Stritch performed their "HOLLYWOODLAND: Songs From The Silver Screen" at the beautiful Cabaret Jazz Room at the Smith Center in Las Vegas.

On Friday, November 13 at 7:30 pm, the MSM Jazz Orchestra - under the direction of Justin DiCioccio (MM '71) - is featuring jazz singing great and MSM alumna Jane Monheit (BM '99) in Jane's Way, a special concert celebrating the centennial of Frank Sinatra's birth. (The legendary crooner was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915.)

Any opportunity to catch two-time Grammy-nominated international jazz superstar and frequent favorite BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award-winner Jane Monheit bring her talents to a local venue outside of New York (and even nearby Los Angeles) is its own cause for celebration. That was certainly evidenced by the rapturous reception she received during her triumphant return to Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Monheit closed out the Center's 2014-2015 Jazz series with Hello Bluebird, her jazz-centric tribute to the legendary Judy Garland. As expected, the 85-minute concert was nothing less than stunning. Let me repeat... stunning.

Grammy® nominated singer Jane Monheit, known for her smooth vocals and sincere interpretations, returns to Segerstrom Center in a program paying tribute to one of her musical idols, the legendary Judy Garland this weekend, March 13 & 14 in Samueli Theater.

Grammy® nominated singer Jane Monheit, known for her smooth vocals and sincere interpretations, returns to Segerstrom Center in a program paying tribute to one of her musical idols, the legendary Judy Garland on March 13 & 14 in Samueli Theater. Hello Bluebird – Celebrating the Jazz of Judy Garland includes many of the Hollywood icon's hits such as “Get Happy,” “You Gotta Have Me Go With You” and her most beloved signature song, “Over the Rainbow.” Monheit will be joined by pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner and drummer Rick Montalbano.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its end-of-year schedule, running December 31 - January 18, including: The Birdland Big Band featuring Jane Monheit on New Year's Eve, Dave Stryker Group, Barbara Carroll, Joe Lovano, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its January 2015 schedule, featuring The Birdland Big Band, Jane Monheit, Beegie Adair Trio, Barbara Carroll, Jay Leonhart Trio, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Dena DeRose, Lindsay Mendez and Marco Paguia, and MORE!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its Christmas week schedule, running December 22 - 28, 2014 and featuring: Michael Feinstein in "Happy Holidays: Swingin' with the Big Band," Klea Blackhurst, Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch in "A Swinging Birdland Christmas," Jay Leonhart Duo, and more. Details below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced their amazing line-up of talent for December 15 - December 21, featuring Michael Feinstein in "Happy Holidays: Swingin' with the Big Band," James Langton's New York All-Star Big Band, Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch and Klea Blackhurst in "A Swingin' Birdland Christmas," and more.

Singers Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso and singer/pianist/arranger Billy Stritch have joined forces in HOLLYWOODLAND: Songs From The Silver Screen, which is running at Birdland through Thanksgiving (Thursday) evening with a show at 6pm. Material includes beloved songs like 'Pennies From Heaven,' 'Let's Misbehave,' 'Over The Rainbow,' 'If I Only Had A Brain,' 'Whistle While You Work,' and 'It Happened In Sun Valley.' There is also a tribute to the songs introduced by Fred Astaire. The trio is accompanied by Rick Montalbano on drums and Neal Miner on bass.

Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce their amazing line-up of talent for next week, November 24 - November 30, 2014, including Cyrill Aimee, Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch in "Hollywoodland: Songs from the Silver Screen" Barbara Carroll, and more. Details below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its December 2014 schedule, featuring Michael Feinstein with Swingin' Big Band, Eliane Elias, Stacey Kent & Marcos Valle, Daniel Reichard, Erich Bergen,Barbara Carroll, "A Swinging Birdland Christmas" with Klea Blackhurst, Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for November 17-23, featuring The Phantom Band: Celebrating the Music of Joe Henderson, The Marcy & Zina Show, Barbara Carroll, Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch in "Hollywoodland: Songs from the Silver Screen," Native Soul, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce their amazing line-up of talent for November 10 - November 16, including Karrin Allyson, Barbara Carroll, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, Peter Mazza, and more. Details below!

Birdland Jazz Club is thrilled to announce their great line-up of amazing talent for the month of November 2014. Featuring: Django Reinhardt NY Festival's 15th Anniversary, Karrin Allyson, Cyrill Aimee, Barbara Carroll, Anita Gillette, Music of Joe Henderson, Native Soul, Peter Mazza, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Birdland Jazz Club is thrilled to announce their great line-up of amazing talent for the month of November 2014. Featuring: Django Reinhardt NY Festival's 15th Anniversary, Karrin Allyson, Cyrill Aimee, Barbara Carroll, Anita Gillette, Music of Joe Henderson, Native Soul, Peter Mazza, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced their amazing line-up of talent for October 20 - October 26, 2014, including: Kenny Barron & Dave Holland, Lance Horne in "Lance & the Ladies," Barbara Carroll, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, and more. Details below!

Singer Jane Monheit will appear October 19 at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills singing the jazz of Judy Garland. Her latest CD - there are 9 - is called the heart of the matter (cover pictured above). Since high school, she has been dazzling audiences world-wide with her beautiful multi-ranged voice. For a young singer to concentrate on jazz and the classics is in itself quite extraordinary in this day and age. Monheit graduated with a BA from the Manhattan School of Music winning many prizes and is a two-time Grammy nominee. She is married to drummer Rick Montalbano Jr. and has one little boy.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its October 2014 schedule, featuring Chita Rivera, Dave Leibman Big Band, Miss Coco Peru, Benny Green Trio, Kenny Baron and Dave Holland, Barbara Carroll, Ron Carter Nonet, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 22 - September 28, featuring Bud Powell Birthday Celebration, Jamie deRoy & Friends, Barbara Carroll, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, and more!