Jazz Insights: Shawnn Monteiro

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. I agree with other critics that her voice is reminiscent of the magnificent talents of the great Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson.

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 New York City, where she performed numerous concerts and events throughout her lengthy career. Shawnn has sung with many of the world’s greatest jazz performers, and a long list of famous big bands. Shawnn regularly performs in Europe, often bringing along several local musicians on her tours. She performs at many local clubs in Southern New England.

Rhode Island is blessed with her ongoing talent and her local performances are a real bargain for jazz enthusiasts. When not performing, she teaches and instructs at The Hartt School (University of Hartford) and Rhode Island College (Providence).