Amanda Monaco, jazz guitarist for Lascivious Biddies, also has her own jazz quartet, Amanda Monaco 4, and is an author and teacher to boot.

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the Lascivious Biddies perform, with our own Amanda Monaco on guitar. In addition to performing with the Biddies, Amanda Monaco has her own jazz quartet, the "Amanda Monaco 4," and is in high demand in the jazz circles of New York.

Her book, "Jazz Guitar for the Absolute Beginner," is available from WorkshopArts, and she teaches beginner and intermediate jazz on WorkshopLive. The Lascivious Biddies are tight. Their songs are well-written and smartly-arranged; the band plays them with a laid-back 1960's jazz feel that's very engaging. Amanda Monaco's solos are fleet and unpredictable, with lots of breathing room. So many guitarists try to fill up every beat with notes, without regard for phrasing; she can crank out the sixteenth notes when she wants to, but always takes a more thoughtful approach.

She's a graduate of William Paterson University, where she studied with guitarist Ted Dunbar, pianists Kenny Barron and Harold Mabern, and bassist Rufus Reid. A big fan of Jim Hall, Amanda Monaco also recommends Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery and Grant Green as essential listening for guitarists.

Tom Heany