Mon David

Award winning Jazz singer, Mon David will perform his unique interpretations of standards and originals with a stellar trio accompanying him.  

PERFORMER BIO:

MON DAVID – A Master of Jazz Vocals 

Mon remains one of the most inventive and creative singers on the L.A. scene and performs with deep connection to his material. The winner of the 2006 London International Vocal Jazz competition combines authentic musicianship and stagecraft with exceptional skill at both vocal improvisation and the interpretation of lyrics. Don Heckman of the International Review of Music says of Mon, “The Filipino singer Mon David is That rarity; a male jazz vocalist with a distinctly original style of his own – a remarkable voice able to leap octaves in a single bound combined with a world class scat singing style.” Jazz critic Roger Crane writes, “Like Mark Murphy, whose singing he at times resembles, David can swing you into bad health and then, turn around and break your heart with a ballad.”  

With eight multi-awarded albums to his credit that include, “Coming True” (by  Freeham Records, voted one of the Top 10 jazz vocal CD’s of 2010 by Jazz Times),  “Solomon” (Orange Room Records – an intimate voice/guitar compilation), the  highly acclaimed, “This Is All I Ask” (Dash Hoffman/Human Connection Records),  and most recently, the highly touted, D+N+A (David/Nelson Agreement) a voice and piano compilation featuring Josh Nelson. Mon continues to captivate jazz audiences at music festivals all over the world, from the North Sea Jazz Festival to the Segerstrom Theater crowd and mesmerize listeners in prestigious venues and art galleries like Catalina Jazz Club, The World Stage, The Blue Whale, Vitello’s, Vibrato, The Merc, Yoshi’s, LACMA, Artshare LA, The Ford Theater and many more jazz venues. LA Jazz Scene’s, Scott Yanow describes Mon as “A major jazz vocalist who can sing any type of music with credibility, creativity, heartfelt emotions and wit.” 

Mon has collaborated with pianist composer Theo Saunders, pianist, composer and arranger Josh Nelson, the iconic bass master Henry “The Skipper” Franklin and LA’s vocal jazz catalyst and educator, Cathy Segal-Garcia among others. He occasionally performs with the eclectic vocal improv ensemble, Fish To Birds (Ashley Maher, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Cecily Gardner, Tracy Lee Robertson, Emile Hassan Dyer and Adrienne Duncan). He has also shared the stage with some of LA’s finest – Kristin Korb, Llew Matthews, Richard Simon, Justo Almario, Nick Mancini, Trevor Ware, Tateng Katindig, Chuck Manning, Nolan Shaheed, Ricky Woodard, Otmaro Ruiz, Gary Fukushima, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Steve Hass, John Chiodini, Andy Langham, Michael Paulo, Dave Tull, Jennifer Leitham, Chris Wabich,  Lyman Medeiros, Kristin Korb, Mark Winkler, Dolores Scozzesi, Dwight Trible, and many more incredible artists. Jazz singer and pianist Dianne Schurr writes, “His technique is impeccable yet has emotional conviction, a brilliant combination that not many singers have today. He has a long and wonderful adventure ahead of him here in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.” 

Mon is a lifetime advocate of music performances that integrate inclusivity and diversity. Mon believes that our humanity connects us to one another regardless of national origin, religion, traditions and political affiliations. The art in poetry, music and jazz can help achieve deep human connection amongst people from various parts of the globe. His faith and conviction, that music that comes from the heart and soul when expressed with honesty, empathy and compassion can both be personal and universal and has the spirit and power to integrate, build, inspire, heal and unite.