Windmills

“Vocalist Monika Ryan tackles the songbook of Alan Bergman on this wide ranging album with support from Keith Loftis/sax, Brad Goode/tp, Clark Gayton/tb, Nick Rolfe/key, David O’Rourke/g, Rene Hart/b and Alvester Garnett/dr. There is some Iberian guitar work as Ryan sings around the caravan campfire on “The Windmills of Your Mind” while she gets bluesy with some sub-tones on “The Summer Knows.” She is luscious around the horns on “Moonlight” and delivers a dramatic aria with Folfe and Loftis’ tenor sax on “Love Like Ours.” Best of all is when she strips down to the minimum, singing only with support from Rolfe on the bedroom eye’d “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?” and with O’Rourke’s gentle strum on the illuminating “ Where Do you Start?” A modern songbook done very well.” — Jazz Weekly, review by George W. Harris.

“‘Cinnamon and Clove,’ one of the most lively and swinging tracks on Windmills, showcases not only the beauty, range, and power of Monika Ryan’s voice but also the extent of her emotional connection to the wonderful lyrics of the songs on this album.” — Jazziz Magazine, Matt Micucci, March 31, 2017

“Monika Ryan’s Windmills is a homage project that the Bergman’s should be proud of. Classical love songs voiced by a superior singer and backed by a top-notch cast of players, makes this vocal jazz album, a must for those who appreciate the genre.” — All About Jazz, Edward Blanco, March 24, 2017