Conversations with Julie Monley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Monley.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am the sixth from a Denver family of twelve children. There are many musicians and artists in my family. My first bands were with my brothers starting when I was 18 or so. I started singing jazz when I was 21 and worked with The Phil Urso Quartet. I moved to London for two years and worked as a singer in London and Penzance. I returned to Denver and started a Brazilian bossa nova band with Manuel Molina. Four years later, I moved to Paris, France and stayed for 12 years working as a singer in and around Paris. I married pianist Frederic Desmoulins and had two daughters. We all moved back to Denver in 1997 and I have been working as a singer and educator in Denver ever since.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has been fairly seamless in terms of focus. My goal to work as a musician has always been clear. The jazz world was and still is fairly macho. Maneuvering and trying to earn respect as a woman and especially a vocalist is a challenge. In France, that challenge was double because of language and cultural differences.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer/percussionist playing in many different genres of music. I am most known as a jazz singer but have done quite a bit of rock with my brother Andy Monley. I am most proud of my work in festivals in France and the great jazz clubs in Paris like “the Sunset” and “ Le Petit Opportun”. I was the house brunch band at Dazzle jazz club for 11 years. I won a few vocal prizes in Paris, of which I am very proud. All the dates of these experiences can be found on my website juliemonley.com.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice is to stay focused on the prize. Not monetary success but the goal of being truly good at what you do because you stayed true to it. Always practice even during the driest periods of no work.

Contact Info:

• Website: Juliemonley.com
• Youtube: Julie Monley

Image Credits
Two Photo by Marylynn Gillespie Red Rocks photographer Sunset photo Jean Jaques Quesada Joseph Amram