Monica Dillon is a New Orleans native/based musician, performer, songwriter, and composer. As a musician, Monica’ Dillons music merges various genres of music in her repertoire including jazz, gospel, R & B, and adult contemporary. Monica’s debut CD, “All I Have is a Moment” has gotten worldwide attention reaching those across the world including Germany, the U.K., Japan, Spain, Greece, France, Hungary, Croatia, and even Nairobi, Kenya.
Monica is a film composer who's work can be seen in the the up-coming documentary “Belly of the Basin,” produced and directed by Tina Morton and Roxana Walker-Canton of A Sister's Eye On Media Productions, which deals with the retention of New Orleans culture, from the perspectives of those most marginalized in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Additionally she's composing the score for the NO! Supplemental Educational Video about rape and sexual assault in the Black community. Her original songs have also appeared in NO! The Rape Documentary.
MONICA DILLON - FEMALE ARTIST
Monica Dillon is a New Orleans native and musician, composer, artist, writer, and performer with powerful stories to tell. A survivor of Hurricane Katrina having lost everything, Monica, an out lesbian artist, currently lives in New Orleans and actively shares the realities of life in New Orleans with those still concerned about the recovery of the city. Documenting the first 6 months after Hurricane Katrina, Monica produced, directed, & edited "And The Living Is Easy," a two-hour documentary video, recounting her personal meditation on life in New Orleans.
With her musical composition and public speaking, Monica Dillon uses cultural work to advocate for women's rights, freedom, justice, and compassion. Often compared with the fierce political voice of Nina Simone, the sultry balladry of Cassandra Wilson, the songwriting poise of Brenda Russell & Patrice Rushen, and the chops of Joe Sample, Monica’s sound blends jazz, blues, funk, and folk. Telling stories and painting pictures is Monica’s claim to fame through her heartfelt and powerful original compositions and performances.
Monica’s original songs such as “1 in 3 Women” and "No," are powerful calls to action to end all forms of violence perpetuated against women and girls. Other original songs include “When The Levee Broke”, “We Make Do,” and “I Gotta Run On” challenge audiences to connect with each other with these songs of liberation, hope, and renewal in the wake of adversity. Her music has appeared in the feature length documentary ”NO!” focusing on intra-racial rape, sexual assault, and healing in the African-American community.
National community based organizations such as SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, INCITE! Woman of Color Against Violence, A Long Walk Home (SOARS Program), and Ruby Sales’ Spirit House in the SisterAll ™ Concert Series have sought after Monica to perform as a featured artist.
As a musician, Monica’s music merges various genres of music in her repertoire including jazz, gospel, R & B, and adult contemporary. Monica’s CD, “All I Have is a Moment” has gotten worldwide attention reaching those across the world including Germany, the U.K., Japan, Spain, Greece, France, Hungary, Croatia, and even Nairobi, Kenya.
Since Katrina, Monica has been a featured artist in the Nikolaisaal “The Voice” Concert in Potsdam, Germany, opening act for legendary blues/folk singer Odetta as part of the Hilltown Folk Concert Series in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, and Bennett College For Women as part of the President's Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (PACES). Additionally, Monica has opened for Lalah Hathaway, performed as a featured artist in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Women in Jazz Concert Series, the city of New Orleans Mo'Fest, the New Orleans Jazz Historic Park, the Ogden Southern Museum of Art, the Black Lily Women's Film & Music Festival, the Black Women's Arts Festival, and the Philadelphia University of the Arts.
Monica is presently composing the score for the documentary “Belly of the Basin,” produced and directed by Tina Morton and Roxana Walker-Canton of A Sister's Eye On Media Productions, which deals with the retention of New Orleans culture, from the perspectives of those most marginalized in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Additionally she's both composing the score for and editing the NO! Supplemental Educational Video, which will feature selected in-depth excerpts from the thirty-plus hours of footage that didn't make it into the final version of NO!
Monica is a member of the American Society of Composers and Performers (ASCAP), Women Who Jam, and The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment. As a mentor and community volunteer Monica has worked with organizations such as Buddies of Nashville, Help One Student To Succeed (HOST), the Concerned Citizen’s Civic Coalition of Kenner, LA, and the National Committee for Community and Justice (NCCJ).