Recent Awards
Four studio albums in four years, and a Global Music Award for every one of them.
Global Music Awards, Silver Medal, Jazz Performance — DELIGHTFULLY (2026)
Global Music Awards, Silver Medal, Vocal Jazz, Female Vocalist — SWEETNESS (2025)
Global Music Awards, Silver Medal, Vocal Jazz, Female Vocalist — ALIVE (2024)
Global Music Awards, Silver Medal, Vocal Jazz, Female Vocalist — PLAYFULLY (2023)
What critics are saying
"A symphony of positivity that is impossible to resist." Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ
"Both impressive and memorable. Her voice, with its slight buzz, has the unique sound one hopes for in a jazz singer...the entire project radiates with the presence of a talent with a major future." Don Heckman, LA Times
"A versatile vocalist [who] works the material in that chic space where the frontiers of jazz, theater and cabaret converge." John McDonough, DownBeat
"Ryan caresses the lyrics of each song with a measure of emotion and taste, making for a vocal jazz album that's a pleasure to hear." Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
"A sterling example of how even 'trad' jazz can sound both timeless and brilliantly new, never letting you forget that there is simply no expiration date on sophistication." Honk Magazine
"With a signature style that seamlessly blends the elegance of the past with the pulse of the present, Monika's artistry is a testament to her exceptional ability to bridge musical eras." Matt Micucci, The JAZZIZ Podcast
"A wonderful singer whose music will help keep the flame of jazz alive." Sheila Jordan
Selected performance history
Three decades of rooms, from downtown jazz clubs to international festival stages.
New York
Carnegie Hall, Fleet Bank Neighborhood Concerts series (1999–2000 season)
Birdland, Smalls, Fez, Adelaides, and Deanna's (1993–1998)
The Metropolitan Room, including a headline show (July 2016)
The Triad and the Flatiron Room
Irish Arts Center, "An Artist Open House," a multicultural community event benefiting the Emerald Isle Immigration Center (April 2017)
The Cutting Room, including the release show for PLAYFULLY (June 2023)
54 Below (2025), Five Spot Jazz (March 2026), One Flight Up (2026), and ongoing engagements at Mezzrow
International
Two headline seasons at the Big Apple in Nonoichi Festival, Japan (2001 and 2002), performing and leading masterclasses alongside Jon Faddis and James Williams of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Featured headline soloist, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (2001)
Need a bookable press kit?
Download Monika's bio, headshots, and technical rider on the EPK page.
Press & Recognition
Awards, critical acclaim, and a career built one room at a time, from Birdland to Carnegie Hall to the Montreal International Jazz Festival.