Monica Behan Bio
Monica Goretti Behan is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer born in the Thousand Islands Region of Northern New York. The self-taught artist is the eighth child of nine. She entered the world of songwriting at age 7, when she began transposing her feelings and experiences onto the piano. In order to play a song she would have to write it. By age 16, Behan was performing live in clubs. After high school she was invited to move to New York City by her godparents Abbie Hoffman and Johanna Lawrenson, who introduced her to patrons of New York’s famous venue Max’s Kansas City and the counterculture and arts community.
RCA/HighStreet Records released her debut album Behan/Johnson with pianist and former partner Deron Johnson. That record included the track “World Keeps Spinning Round” which became a Top-10 single on Triple AAA (Adult Alternative Songs). Behan is most well-known for iconic music that blends folk, and jazz into distinctive melodies. She has recorded with RCA Records and Chrysalis Music Publishing, and written for film and television. Her songs have been heard on television networks Fox, Lifetime, CBS, UPN, TNT and Disney. Behan's latest album, Right Where I Need to Be, has undertones of old-style jazz with a latter-day feel, folk, and alternative influences.
Goretti, Behan's fashion label was featured in Entertainment Weekly, People, InStyle, Us, Elle, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Behan has often produced her own music for her fashion shows; and some music has been contributed by other artists such as Macy Gray. Today, Behan splits her time between New York City and the St. Lawrence River where she is from.
Monica currently owns and operates Modicum Skincare, a firm that provides plant-based skincare nutrients.
Monica Behan News
Late in the show, Mr. Harris introduced a guest, Monica Behan, a little-known singer whose first number, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," defined her as a jazz-torch interpreter with a confident dramatic command.—By Stephen Holden, The New York Times, July 9, 2014
Brimming with folk and jazz influences, Right Where I Need to Be is a ten-track collection of original and cover songs co-produced by Grammy winner Russ Titelman [and jazz drummer Clarence Penn], who perfectly captures the dreamy soulfulness of Behan’s voice. On “The Other Woman,” mesmerizing instrumentation and meaningful lyrics build a solid framework for which Behan to hang her alluring vocals, deepening its themes of relationships, loyalty, and love.—By Stacey Zering, The Journal of Roots Music NO DEPRESSION, April 20, 2016
"Right Where I Need To Be" is a jazz-infused ballad that could also be an instruction manual for aspiring jazz singers on how to deliver their art form with skill, sophistication and heart.—The Akademia, May 2016, Best Jazz Song
Billboard Magazine, Nov. 24, 1996, pg 6
Billboard Magazine, Sep. 20, 1997, pg 23
HITS Magazine, Jan. 9, 1998, pg 46
Billboard Magazine, Jan. 10, 1998, pg 70
Monica Behan Music
Single: "Behan Johnson – World Keeps Spinning" RCA – RDJ 64944-2 (1997)
Behan Johnson RCA – 07863 66893-2 (1997)
Ruby (2010)
Right Where I Need to Be (2015)
Behan Johnson - "World Keeps Spinning"
Monica Behan Video Coming Soon
Monica Behan Gallery
