Monica Dillon

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Monica Dillon

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Img_capt =
Img_size = 150
Background = Performing Artist
Birth_name. = Monica Nicole Dillon
Born = Birth date and age|1973|10|23
Origin = New Orleans, Louisiana
Instruments = "Piano, Keyboard, Organ"
Genre = Jazz, Blues
Occupation(s) = Musician
Years_active = 2000-present

Monica Dillon is a pianist, artist, performer, music producer, film & television scorer and public speaker. Born on October 23, 1973, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Monica is one of eight children. Once known as "Soulful Jazz," Monica dropped the term from her biography in late 2006 to expand her musical description.

The Early Years

Monica grew up playing music as a woodwind player in school bands and singing in church choirs. She performed with several school bands, including honors bands across the state and in the greater New Orleans area.

Monica is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where she studied Electrical Engineering. Dropping music from the horizon altogether, it was not until her brief stay in Philadelphia, PA that she decided to pursue music once again.

Philadelphia Coming of Age

After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Monica spent a few months in Milwaukee, WI working for an engineering manufacturing company, before moving to Philadelphia, PA. She lived in Philadelphia for approximately 3 years. While in Philadelphia, Monica shifted her interests and found herself working as a freelance journalist. Monica interviewed a host of world renowned performers, civic leaders, authors, athletes, and entertainers including Dorothy Norwood, Carol Maillard of Sweet Honey in the Rock, Rasheed Wallace, Oprah Winfrey (short press round table to promote Beloved, Saul Williams, & C.T. Vivian. As a result of her month-long coverage of the 1998 Economic human Rights Campaign/Bus Tour with The Kensington Welfare Rights Union, she co-authored an article which appeared in the Journal of Progressive human Services: University of New England in 1999.

Return To New Orleans

Moving back to New Orleans in 1998, Monica began studying classical piano realizing that life without music was not enough. Realizing that classical training was not enough, she began to explore other genres of music including jazz, blues, and funk.

Her first music break came in 2001 when she offered to perform in a fellow co-workers new supper club in Boutte, Louisiana. Realizing that she should try to accompany her piano playing ability with her voice, Monica slowly began experimenting with jazz standards and popular tunes.

In late 2003, after realizing that she also had a lot to say and the ability compose music for small combos, Monica recorded her first cd, "ALL I Have Is A Moment." To her surprise, the music was well received and traveled around the world.

Impacted by Hurricane Katrina

Monica Dillon was impacted heavily by Hurricane Katrina. Losing everything, Monica returned to New Orleans to rebuild. In 2006 she released her first documentary/diary about her Hurricane Katrina experience entitled, "And The Living Is Easy." Currently out of print, the documentary featured footage covering the first 6 months of rebuilding efforts around the city of New Orleans.

Currently Activities

Currently, Monica Dillon is working on her next cd entitled, "A Beautiful Life,' which is expected to be completed late summer 2007. She is currently scoring music for documentary filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons, and Roxana Walker-Canton and Tina Morton of Sisters' Eye On Media.

External links

* [http://www.monicadillonmusic.com Monica Dillon official website]
* [http://jazz-not-jazz.com/interview/monica_dillon.html Jazz Not Jazz Interview with Monica Dillon]
* [http://feministing.com/archives/005644.html Feministing Interview with Monica Dillon]
* [http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=46533&comview=1 Monica Dillon featured in the Indiana University News]
* [http://www.universityofthepoor.org/schools/social/articles/FREEDOM%20BUS.pdf Freedom Bus Article co-authored by Monica Dillon]
*MySpace|monicadillon