Amanda Monaco

“A serious jazzbo with impressive chops and a penchant for adventure. ”– Time Out New York
“Edgy, well-crafted compositions.”— David Adler, AllAboutJazz.com
“She is a spirited, dedicated guitarist and composer whose creative reach extends through and beyond the jazz idiom. She has remained loyal to the true nature of jazz improvisation by telling great stories on her instrument; her mature phrasing and emotional power are striking.” – David Tronzo, Guitarist
A graduate of William Paterson University, Amanda studied with Ted Dunbar, Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid and Harold Mabern. She moved to New York in 1995 and has played in a variety of projects, from jazz chamber groups and big bands to regular appearances at Joe’s Pub and Cornelia Street Café.
Amanda’s current projects include her own quartet, Amanda Monaco 4, with tenor saxophonist Jason Gillenwater, bassist Fraser Hollins and drummer Jeff Davis. Following their 2003 self-titled release (which achieved critical acclaim both in the United States and Europe), the quartet’s new CD was released in April 2007 on the Innova label. They continue to tour nationally and locally playing everywhere from nightclubs to the JVC Jazz Festival. AllAboutJazz–New York says Amanda’s playing is “utterly unique, a breath of fresh air in the cookie-cutter climes of both mainstream and free jazz”.
Amanda is also an occasional sideman with the JC Hopkins Biggish Band and Joe Phillips's Numinous Ensemble, among other bandleaders.
An educator since 1990, Amanda has served on the faculty of New School University, National Guitar Workshop, and Berklee College of Music. She currently teaches jazz guitar through the innovative web site WorkshopLive, and her book, Jazz Guitar for the Absolute Beginner (Alfred Publishing), is available worldwide.