She’s played with the best in the business, from legends Diana Ross and the departed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, to game-changers such as Lizzo (the 2020 Grammy Awards telecast) and Alicia Keys. Now, soul/jazz violinist and Louisville KY native Monique Brooks Roberts steps into the spotlight with her own work, the album “Free”.
Released digitally a few weeks ago, Monique’s “Free” features ten originals, including her single, the uptempo dancer “Night Life” (a Top 10 internet radio hit) as well as the empowering “Love, Me” featuring Rajdulari and Kerrie Joy, the mellow and haunting “Tonight” and the edgy hip-hop flavored “Breathe” that features rapper Lord Zaire. Citing singer/songwriter Sade as an influence, Monique pays tribute to that longtime hit maker with her rendition of “Cherish The Day”.
“Free” made a strong debut on iTunes’ Soul/R&B Album Charts at #12 within the first week of release and is destined to grow in download sales as well as streams. The album is available on most streaming platforms as well as iTunes.
Monique recently relocated from the Philadelphia/New Jersey area to Denver, Colorado – this after garnering much live performance work within the state. Her goal – to make a mark within the soul/jazz world – has been accomplished thanks to the early airplay “Night Life” received prior to the release of the album, “Free”.
Besides performing and/or recording with hit makers such as Lizzo, Alicia Keys, Common, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, J. Cole and Shaun Mendes, Monique was also a touring member of the Philadelphia String Quartet for 7 years. She’s performed with the Soulful Symphony Orchestra, Gateways Festival Orchestra, Harlem Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey. Television appearances include the Grammy Awards, VH1 Storytellers, NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the MTV Video Music Awards, and the BET Honors. Monique has played at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the John F. Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, The Kimmel Center, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, the world famous Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Russia, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Newport Jazz Festival, The Willingboro Jazz Festival and plenty more. She currently performs and tours with Rootstock Republic as well as Camille A. Brown & Dancers.
Monique will be performing live at the Five Points Jazz Festival and the Denver Arts Festival in the spring of 2020.
Track listing
“Waves”
“Love, Me” (featuring Rajdulari and Kerrie Joy)
“Freelude: Love,You”
“Cherish The Day”
“Night Life”
“Tonight”
“Freelude: The Morning After”
“Breathe” (featuring Lord Zaire)
“Freelude: We Vibin’”
“Freelude: New Truth”
“Free”
Check out Free on Itunes or other streaming platforms. Also check out Monique’s website.
For more news on the latest album release, new artists and talent news, head over to the New Music page.
