WICN Artist of the Month, March 2026: Shawnn Monteiro

Known for her captivating stage presence and blues-infused jazz style, Cranston, R.I. native Shawnn Monteiro has been enchanting audiences for decades. Her warm, expressive phrasing and bursts of scat are reminiscent of two of her greatest influences, Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan, yet her voice is unmistakably her own. Music runs in her blood; her father was the well-known bassist Jimmy Woode of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and her godfather was trumpet great Clark Terry.

Monteiro’s professional break came when Latin jazz icon Mongo Santamaria heard her performing in a San Jose club and invited her to join his band. She toured internationally as his only vocalist and female percussionist, sharing stages with artists such as Stan Kenton, Celia Cruz, the Fania All-Stars, and Weather Report. Since then, she has performed with an extraordinary roster of jazz greats, including Ray Brown, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderley, Kenny Barron, Hank Jones, Benny Golson, and the Count Basie Orchestra.

Whether in an intimate club or a grand concert hall, Monteiro’s artistry shines through. She has brought her interpretations of the American Songbook to audiences across the United States and Europe, all while dedicating herself to jazz education. She has taught master classes worldwide, most notably in Rome and Genoa each summer since 1995. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School/Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, Rhode Island College, and most recently as a guest educator at Berklee College of Music.

In every performance, Monteiro invites listeners into her world, blending technical mastery with a warmth that makes each song feel personal. For those lucky enough to spend an evening with her, the experience is unforgettable.

WICN looks forward to welcoming Shawnn Monteiro to the Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury on March 27 for The Brian Barlow Concert Series.