About Monika...

Monika Ryan is an award-winning jazz singer and songwriter known for her commitment to crafting new music that resonates with contemporary audiences. With a strong foundation in jazz classics, she reinterprets the genre through fresh lyrics that reflect modern sentiments. A graduate of the prestigious New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Ryan is also a voting member of The Recording Academy, highlighting her influence and respect within the music industry. Originally from New York City and currently residing in New Jersey, Monika began her musical journey as a teenager. She studied privately under jazz legend Jackie Paris and performed with notable artists such as Charli Persip and Al Grey. Over her career, she has independently produced and released sixteen albums, with her latest release titled "SWEETNESS" featuring Spike Wilner on piano, Neal Miner on bass, Joe Strasser on drums, and Adrian Galante on clarinet is set to debut on February 21, 2025. Ryan's dynamic stage presence and sophisticated musicality have earned her international acclaim. She has headlined prestigious events, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and has performed extensively across the globe—from Japan to Ireland and throughout the United States. Her collaborations include performances with jazz greats like Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, and James Williams. In addition to her performances, Monika has been a rostered artist for Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood Concert Series, showcasing her commitment to community engagement through music. Her artistry is characterized by a blend of classic jazz styles infused with contemporary influences, making her a captivating figure in the jazz community.

WHAT CRITICS SAY ...

Both impressive and memorable. Her voice, with its slight buzz, has the unique sound one hopes for in a jazz singer...the entire project radiates with the presence of a talent with a major future.

Don Heckman

LA Times

WHAT CRITICS SAY ...

Ryan caresses the lyrics of each song with a measure of emotion and taste making for a vocal jazz album that's a pleasure to hear...Though there are moments of swing on this session, make no doubt about the texture of the music, this is a genuine album of light jazz that appeals to the lighter side of one's musical DNA. ...Classical love songs voiced by a superior singer and backed by a top-notch cast of players, makes this vocal jazz album, a must for those who appreciate the genre.

Edward Blanco

All About Jazz

WHAT CRITICS SAY ...

A wonderful singer whose music will help keep the flame of jazz alive.

Sheila Jordan

Singer

WHAT CRITICS SAY ...

...'Windmills' is a tribute to the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, 'Cinnamon and Clove,'... showcases not only the beauty, range, and power of Monika Ryan’s voice but also the extent of her emotional connection to the wonderful lyrics of the songs on this album.

Matt Micucci

JAZZIZ

WHAT CRITICS SAY ...

Monika's performance is adventurous, relevant, and fresh, every night. A fine live music experience.

Benoit Glazer

McGill University, Cirque du Soleil, Founder, Artistic and Technical Director at Timucua Arts Foundation

MONIKA RYAN UNVEILS "SWEETNESS": FUN AND EBULLIENT JAZZ DESIGNED TO UPLIFT AND RESTORE

New York, NY - Jazz vocalist, Monika Ryan, is set to release her 16th studio album, "Sweetness," a transformative collection that reimagines traditional jazz sound for the contemporary listener.

Slated for release on February 21, 2025, with singles dropping weekly between December 20th and February 21, the album offers ten original compositions that capture life's most intimate moments with remarkable authenticity and hope.

Ryan's "Sweetness" represents more than an album—it's a philosophical exploration of modern existence through the lens of stoicism in the medium of jazz. Each track serves as a musical vignette, exploring themes of love, connection, and personal discovery. From the nostalgic "Hello" to the introspective "None of Us," Ryan crafts a narrative that speaks directly to the human experience.

“Music is medicine” muses Ryan, she writes music to serve what she observes a need for. “I write music to counterbalance the coarseness of the world.” In an increasingly frenetic time, full of divisions and conflicts, with climate catastrophe at the door many people seem very stressed out, overwhelmed, exhausted. “It’s important to pay attention to what is happening in the world, and to be involved in whatever solutions you can be, but the extra effort becomes more difficult when one is completely emotionally and spiritually drained. So I write music that offers up a little boost, a buoy in the storm, a chance to get back to your heart and refuel so that listeners can address all that needs attention from a place of balanced strength, and with a full rejuvenated heart.

My last album 'ALIVE' spoke to this on a macro level, and my new project 'SWEETNESS' speaks to this on a micro level. It reminds people of all of the tiny lights 'inside the tunnel. ' Even amidst chaos, there are beautiful moments that contribute to our ability to thrive. I aim to highlight that spark of SWEETNESS that is always present in our lives; recognizing it can be rejuvenating. We are alive in this moment, which is both a joy and a significant opportunity. When we maintain a state of balanced strength, we often have extra energy to confront current and future challenges.”

“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden. “ Seneca

The album features an exceptional ensemble of jazz musicians:

Spike Wilner (Piano)
Neal Miner (Bass)
Joe Strasser (Drums)
Adrian Galante (Clarinet)

Engineering Team:

Aaron Nevezie & Monika Ryan (Recording Engineers)
Chris Alle (Mixing and Mastering Engineer)