Monica Ramey (vocals) Beegie Adair (piano)
Thursday, January 13, 6:00 p.m.
Music Charge: $20
Monica Ramey album "Make Someone Happy" is receiving nationwide airplay on jazz radio, including Music Choice and DMX, she makes her New York City debut at Birdland with special guest the legendary Beegie Adair, who Michael Feinstein called "a marvelously understated player whose interpretations of standards are just brilliant," jazz grea...t Helen Merrill salutes her "inventive jazz sense, her wonderful sense of time and improvised melody," and The Los Angeles Times calls her music "Elegant," Entertainment News writes, "Beegie Adair is one of the finest piano players in the world."
Now that the trend of aging rockers cutting albums of show tunes and standards seems thankfully to have run its course, we're back to vocalists with a real feel for and understanding of the jazz tradition doing them justice. Nashville's Monica Ramey is a shining example. Her excellent release "Make Someone Happy" offers resourceful, soaring and engaging interpretations of material from The Great American Songbook. Ron Wynn - Nashville Scene
On her debut CD, Nashville singer Monica Ramey displays a velvety voice on a handful of choice tunes including infrequently heard ones like “Dream Dancing,” “You Hit the Spot,” “Passion Flower” and “Give Him the Ooh-la-la.” But the award winner was the opener, a Blossom Dearie tune called “Hey, John.” Carmen McRae’s version of it was a wake up call from the past, but Ramey comes darn close.
George Fendel - Jazz Society of Oregon
Her theatrical roots combine with her obvious deep affection for the classic popular song to give us a freshly unique take on the material she's chosen for her debut. It's sassy, swinging and totally enjoyable.
Jeff Steinberg, Musician/Arranger/Composer
