Cellist, Vocalist, Lyricist, Wellness Advocate, and Sound Healer are a few titles used to describe Monica McIntyre. She weaves a beautiful tapestry of colors and sounds so unique that one genre simply does not cover it. Monica uses her cello as a conduit to seamlessly blend: Blues, Soul, Folk, Classical, Reggae and Middle Eastern sounds into an unforgettable musical landscape.
Witnessing Monica perform is an enthralling experience and before you know it you will be swaying or stomping your feet. Meticulous storytelling, metaphor and word play dominate her lyrics, allowing her songs to be seen and heard as succinct novellas. The smoky texture and emotional quality of her voice has left audiences crying, dancing, laughing and testifying.
Living in Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love, immersed her in a serous education of: Funk, Soul, R & B, Jazz, and World Music. In October 2003 she self-released her debut album ‘Blusolaz’ — a collection of original songs which fused: Blues, Soul and Jazz. ‘Bars of Gold’, her first single, was self-released in August 2005.
In November 2010 Monica relocated to New Orleans, LA and became immediately involved in its thriving local music scene. She joined forces with singer-songwriters Lynn Drury and Margie Perez to form, The Honeypots, an acoustic genre blending group. Their debut album ‘Something Sweet’ was released in April 2012 on the ThreadHead Record label and was nominated for The 2013 New Orleans Best Of The Beat Awards. They have been featured performers at the French Quarter Fest (LA) 2013, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA) 2013, and The Creole Tomato Festival (LA) 2014.
Additionally, Monica has featured at numerous events and venues throughout the world most notably: Soul Sista’s Jukejoint (GA) 2005, The 215 Festival (PA) 2005, Sistahood Celebration (Vancouver) 2008, The Philadelphia Fringe Festival (PA) 2008 & 2009, The Black Women’s Art Festival (PA) 2009, Sisterspace (MD) 2009, Ladyfest New Orleans (LA) 2010 & 2011, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA) 2013, and The French Quarter Fest (LA) 2013. Most recently Monica was a featured artist on the online International music show “Balcony TV”.
In September 2013 Monica self-released her sophmore album ‘It Soon Come’, produced by John Chelew, featuring: Marcia McIntyre (violin/vocals), Thea Bashful (vocals), Reggina Thompson (oboe), and Mike Jacobsen (percussion). In December 2014 she self-released her third full-length album ‘Mourning To The Moonlight’.
“I gave away my sorrow to the sunshine, I’m free again” — ‘Mourning To The Moonlight’, Monica McIntyre