8/22/2023
Performances and Artists
Songstress Jane Monheit to Perform Beloved Holidays Hits on December 12
When acclaimed vocalist Jane Monheit calls herself a “Christmas fanatic,” she means it.
“I could put up my Christmas tree (in July),” laughs Monheit, who has performed in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. “We had to switch to a fake tree, because we leave it up for over two months.”
Monheit cherishes the holidays so much, in fact, she has released two albums devoted to her many favorite yuletide tunes.
And with her full repertoire of festive hits, touring during the holidays has become her favorite way to ring in the season.
“It’s something I do every single year. It’s become part of my Christmas tradition,” she says.
Just in time for the re-release of her hit holiday album “The Merriest,” Monheit will visit The Smith Center for a high-energy yuletide concert on December 12. Backed by her talented trio, she will showcase her dazzling vocals as she delivers beloved seasonal melodies.
“I have a pretty broad repertoire of holiday songs I love,” she says.
The night will also likely feature guest Vegas performers who are “extreme Smith Center favorites,” she promises.
“My Christmas shows are always full of a lot of really fun numbers,” she says. “It will be a lot of joyful music.”
Fusing Classic Styles with Festive Fun
Monheit fans know she’s built a storied career on belting the Great American Songbook and lush, jazz originals.
And she blends this style into her interpretations of holiday hits, she says.
“These Christmas tunes really are standards,” says Monheit, whose satin vocals have been compared to Judy Garland’s. “They’re a natural extension of what I do.”
And just like with her jazz melodies, she gives some festive songs a contemporary or international twist.
“Some of the songs are reworked,” she says. “It’s always fun to throw in a different groove, a different subgenre of jazz, or a beautiful rhythm from somewhere else in the world, like Brazilian or Cuban.”
But for some tunes, she remains respectfully loyal to their original form, she says, to uphold tradition and meet audiences’ expectations.
“I think (holiday music) is popular because people have heard it their whole lives,” she says. “Everyone connects childhood memories to these beautiful, classic pieces of music.”
A Musical Family Affair
Touring during the holidays always proves sentimental for Monheit’s band, she says — especially because the group includes her husband, Rick Montalbano, on the drums.
“(Performing together) is the greatest thing in the whole world,” Monheit says, adding that they even performed a gig together recently to celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary. “We’ve been together since we were 20 years old. We’re like one organism now. We partner through everything in life, whether it’s making an album, raising a child or going to Costco.”
Touring with their son has occasionally proved a challenge for the Los Angeles-based family, she notes.
But with the close proximity of The Smith Center, she says, they can easily “pack up the car, pack up the kid, go for a drive and be back for school on Monday.”
She looks forward to having both family and fans nearby as she shares her favorite holiday tunes.
“I’m so honored to get to sing them,” she says.
SEE THE SHOW
Jane Monheit performs in Myron’s at The Smith Center on December 12 – for tickets, CLICK HERE.