Alan Monasch

Original blues, ballads and American-songbook-style songs near the edge of jazz. I am in music for the connection. ​I began songwriting as a teen, wrapped in the romantic image of the loner, the solitary cool artist in the cloister. I wrote for myself for decades, honing my craft but showing it not at all in public.. I became a husband and a parent and played only for my family. My day career was corporate. Divorce happened; we are good friends now, but it was hard then. I was still a loner, now not as romantic, more angry and hurt, but still writing songs. Then, not many years ago, I lost everything. And the best part of my life began. ​ It became urgent to me to live fully, to give up worry, to be at peace. Without resources, it was easy to concentrate on what was important. In my wanderings, I came into contact with the music community in the Bay Area of California, and as I started to perform, as I started to know the extraordinary musicians and humans in that incredibly welcoming, supportive community, I gave up my loneliness. I paid some dues in music, then started getting opportunities to perform, by myself and with my own band and in the bands of others, and I began to experience connecting to people by way of my songs. I am on the most extraordinary of rides. Please feel free to get to know me, my music and my story and come on this ride with me. I am in music for the connection.

Pittsfield, MA