Let the Rhythm Take You

"Take a little bit of earthy poetry and a little bit of earthy alto vocalizing, then add a keen sensibility and a lot of perfectly executed guitar techniques, and you'll get Monnette Sudler . . ." Guitar Player Magazine, feature by Jill Shapiro. ... Jazz guitarist, composer, singer, poet, an innovative bandleader, producer and teacher. Monnette engages her audience with soulful and electrifying original compositions. Monnette bridges' the gap between genres. She enjoys jazz, blues hip-hop, folk R&B, poetry and classics. Her musical compositions and collaborations reflect her musical diversity, without compromise or loss of integrity. Her arrangements provide the vehicle for Monnette and her band to jam. Europe, Japan, South Africa, Jamaica and the United States have welcomed jazz guitarist Monnette Sudler. This Philadelphia born artist has performed with many jazz greats, such as Hugh Masakela, the late Grover Washington Jr., Byard Lancaster, Odean Pope, Kenny Baron, Steve Turre, Frank Lacey, poets Sonia Sanchez and Trapeta Mayson as well as bassist Gerald Veasely. Ms. Sudler has her degree from Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music. Her background covers composition, music therapy and performance. For the past five year Ms. Sudler is musical director and has contributed scores and musical arrangements for the annual performances/plays for the Art Sanctuary North Stars. Ms. Sudler is one of four composers commissioned for the Hip H' Opera as a collaborative grant from the Philadelphia Opera Company in collaboration with North Stars merging hip-hop poetry with classic music. "When you first meet Monnette Sudler you are struck by her warmth. Once you were connected to the music, you were taken on a whirlwind on enchantment. You really didn't want to be turned loose. Jazz Times by Bill Hasso Monnette Sudler as executive producer has just released her latest 2008 CD on MSM-Phillyinde records entitled Monnette Sudler "Let the Rhythm Take You" featuring Abyss. This CD takes the listener on a smooth journey through jazz, funk, Rap, African, vocals and storytelling. Inspired by literary work, rap, contemporary jazz, African folk music, and traditional jazz for guitar highlighted on "Transition" and "Malik Yaumi'Din". Monnette collaborates with her son on the title track "Let the Rhythm Take You", "Running Out" and "My Freedom". Wonderfully rich vocals and old school grooves. It is a CD that can bring the generations together. "...A Sublime intimate album of Folk, African and blues accents." Ms. Sudlers' European & Japanese release on Discography "Meeting of the Spirits", part of their Philly Jazz series is music in it's purest form. Her compositions are wonderfully emotional, lyrical and poetic. She shares feelings of love, ancestry and son Erik "Abyss" Honesty sharing his feelings of a young man's struggles on Bottled In. "...her soulful animated compositions are entrusted with her natural singing and the brilliant interventions of the great trombonist Steve Turre and the activist poet Sonya Sanchez." . . . "her expressions come form the heart. In her compositions, you can hear both her jazz influences and also how her compositions are the perfect vehicle for her own heart-inspired guitar lines." Philadelphia Tribune, Phoenix Rising feature by Greg McDonald Some of Monnettes' influences include Wes Montgomery, Bolo Sete, Yusef Lateef, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughn, Curtis Mayfield, Luther Vandross, Charles Mingus and Oliver Nelson. MONNETTE SUDLER'S earlier recordings on the Danish based jazz record company, Steeplechase Records, showcases Monnette as a dynamite guitarist, writer, composer, and arranger, accompanied by bassist Tyrone Brown and vibraphonist Kahn Jamal on "Brighter Days for you". "Time for a Change" made billboards top ten. Her arrangements provide the vehicle for Monnette and her band to jam. Europe, Japan, South Africa, Jamaica and the United States have welcomed jazz guitarist Monnette Sudler. One of Monnette Sudler's recordings on Hardly Records, "Other Side of the Gemini" is an eclectic blend of jazz funk and blues, joined by Grover Washington, Jr. Reggie Workman and Steve Turre. "... Incredible tour de force! An artist in constant motion. " Philadelphia New Observer by James Spady.