A leading light in both the jazz and cabaret worlds since emerging as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s 1998 vocal competition, Jane Monheit is blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times). Monheit’s quick popularity with her first albums can be seen as a contributing factor in the resurgence of the Great American Songbook.  With her new album, The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald—the first to be released on her own Emerald City Records—the Long Island native has surprised even herself with her artistic leap. Jane had thought about recording an Ella tribute for a long time. Fitzgerald’s beloved songbook albums held “Biblical” importance for her when she was growing up and have never lost their hold on her.