Born: October 27, 1973 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Since moving to New York City, Amanda Monaco has performed with a variety of musical groups, from jazz chamber ensembles and big bands to regular appearances with her own groups at such venues as Birdland, Joe's Pub, and The Blue Note.
Amanda's current projects includes her quartet, a jazz and improvisational music ensemble that combines free-bop sensibilities with through-composed pieces equal parts textural, adventurous, and whimsical. With alto/baritone saxophonist Michaël Attias, bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Satoshi Takeishi, this quartet performs a mix of Amanda's original compositions and modern twists on classic and obscure jazz repertoire. Their debut CD, I Think I'll Keep You, was released in Japan in early 2009 by LateSet Records and worldwide in October 2009.
Amanda also co-leads the quintet “Playdate” with old friends Noah Baerman (piano) and Wayne Escoffery (tenor saxophone) and new friends Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinnie Sperrazza. They can be seen performing around New York City and their debut recording was released on Posi-Tone Records in September 2009.
Amanda is also a resident musician at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York City, and appears on both of their recordings, Halailah Hazeh: The music of Pesah and Teki Yah: The High Holy Days. She is currently working on a suite of music using text from the Pirke Avot, a collection of rabbinical teachings compiled in the third century C.E., sung in Hebrew and Aramaic by Israel vocalist Ayelet Rose Gottlieb and accompanied by Monaco on electric guitar, with Daphna Mor on recorders and nay, Sean Conly on bass, and Satoshi Takeishi on percussion.
“Impressive chops and a penchant for adventure.” --Time Out New York
“Edgy, well-crafted compositions.” --David Adler, All About Jazz
I Think I'll Keep You
Late Set Records
2009
Intention
innova Recordings
2006
Amanda Monaco 4
Genevieve Records
2004
As A Side Musician
Vipassana
Joe Phillips'Numinous
innova Recordings
2009
Soul Force
Noah Baerman
Lemel
2005
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Primary Instrument:
Guitar
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
An educator since 1990, Amanda has served on the faculty of New School University, and presently teaches at the National Guitar Workshop, on the innovative web site WorkshopLive, and at Berklee College of Music. Her book, Jazz Guitar for the Absolute Beginner (Alfred Publishing), is available worldwide. Amanda also teaches privately in New York City.
