Jane Monheit

Recorded at the famous New York City restaurant on the 65th floor of Thirty Rockefeller Plaza, Live at the Rainbow Room features jazz vocalist Jane Monheit backed by a 31-piece orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent along with a solid small jazz ensemble featuring, among others, pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Kenny Washington. A glamorous singer whose cool pin-up persona calls to mind such '50s icons as June Christy and Julie London, Monheit is also an extremely capable singer. Although her understated approach does not incorporate vocalese or instrument-like solos, her crystalline voice and impeccable phrasing should appeal to fans of mainstream modern jazz and American popular songcraft. Throughout the night Monheit delivers classy and sultry versions of such standards as "Just Squeeze Me" and "It Might as Well Be Spring" as well as tackles such bossa nova classics as "Dindi" and "Waters of March" -- a song she refers to as her favorite to perform. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide