Wednesday, December 19, 2001

WILMINGTON, NC -- Rising jazz sensation Jane Monheit will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium as part of the university’s Arts in Action performance series.

Born Sept. 3, 1977, Monheit was two years old when she began singing Somewhere over the Rainbow and Honeysuckle Rose. While growing up, she listened to jazz, classical and bluegrass music. In high school, Monheit played before an audience whenever she had a chance, and at the age of 17, she enrolled at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music where she received her first formal vocal training.

In 1998, at the age of 20, Monheit became the youngest runner-up in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition. Critics applauded her appearance. Josef Woodard of Entertainment Weekly wrote, “Monheit…is the one to watch.” Within two years, she had her first recording contract.

Monheit’s debut album Never Never Land, released in 2000, was in collaboration with jazz masters Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Lewis Nash, Bucky Pizzarelli, Hank Crawford and David “Fathead” Newman. The album spent six months in the Top 10 on Billboard magazine’s jazz chart. Monheit’s latest album, Come Dream with Me, debuted at number one on the jazz chart.

Individual tickets are $5.50 for UNCW students and children age 12 and under; $11.50 for UNCW faculty/staff; and $17.50 for all others. Tickets are on sale at the Kenan Auditorium Ticket Office. To contact the box office, call 910/962-3500 or 1.800.732.3643. Ticket office hours are noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Note: The university will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 for winter break.)

Remaining performances in the UNCW Arts in Action series are:

Eighth Blackbird, award-winning contemporary chamber ensemble, 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, in Kenan Auditorium.

K.Sridhar: North Indian Classical Music on Sarod, 8 p.m., Saturday, March 16, in Kenan Auditorium.

Capitol Steps, co-sponsorsed with Thalian Hall, WHQR Public Radio, 4 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Apri1 27 in Thalian Hall.

For more information, contact Shannon Hooker at 910/962.7600 or hookers@uncwil.edu or visit the Web site www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/arts.