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Monnette Sudler

“Her expressions come from 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

About Me

This Philadelphia born jazz guitarist, composer, singer, and poet, is also an innovative bandleader, producer and educator. This African American female jazz guitarist has performed with many jazz greats, such as Hugh Masakela, the late Sam Rivers, Grover Washington Jr., Byard Lancaster, Odean Pope, Kenny Baron, Steve Turre, Frank Lacey, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Dave Holland, and Reggie Workman as well as poets Sonia Sanchez and Pew Fellow Trapeta B. Mayson. Ms. Sudler’s most recent European CD “Where have all the Legends Gone? “ was produced by Heavenly Sweetness Label featuring four very innovative and creative French musicians, recording several cover -tunes, in addition to her original vocal and instrumental compositions. Monnette Sudler as executive producer released her 2008 CD on MSM-Phillyinde records entitled Monnette Sudler “Let the Rhythm Take You” featuring renown spoken word artist and music producer Abyss. The CD takes the listener on a journey inspired by literary work, rap, contemporary jazz, African folk music, and traditional jazz guitar highlighted on “Transition” and “Malik Yaumi’Din”. Europe, Japan, South Africa, Jamaica and the United States have welcomed jazz guitarist Monnette Sudler. Ms. Sudler has her degree from Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music. The American Composers forum recently awarded Monnette Sudler the Community Partners Grant for her pilot project “Mend the Mind, Free the Soul” incorporating music principles and music composition into the therapeutic classrooms with a culminating performance of her suite of compositions by an ensemble of professional musicians drawing on the ideas and input of the students. Ms. Sudler is musical director Art Sanctuary North Stars and has contributed scores and musical arrangements for their annual performances/plays. Ms. Sudler was 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. Ms. Sudler continues to head her own group, as well as free lance. Three years ago Monnette Sudler also started the Philadelphia Guitar Summit offering an opening concert of master guitarists followed with workshops through out the year. Each year the summit transforms to higher levels of excitement.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because... I was first exposed to jazz... I met [musician name]... The best show I ever attended was... The first jazz record I bought was John Coltrane's. My advice to new listeners... Or whatever else you have in mind.