Many would say that the Miami Sound has longed been defined—aka, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Willy Chirino, Carlos Oliva, KC & the Sunshine Band, and many others.

But then an artist comes along that incorporates Miami’s sweet n spicy tropical aroma--combined with an international Euro flavor and classical music nuances—and you get Miami’s newest singing sensation Montserrat Franco.

With a repertoire that stems from Pop, Brazilian music, combined with elements of Jazz, Montserrat brings a level of sophistication, versatility and personal charm that in little time has propelled her into one of the most in-demand artists of the local South Florida music scene—performing at all kinds of special events and concerts.

What is the one thing that inspires you as a performing artists? Since a very early age I wanted to sing, singing for me was natural, my parents remember that when I was only 2 years old they took me to a choral performance in a park, I was humming the songs I was tuned.  My father was my mentor because being himself a composer he was my major inspiration to pursue this career.  I am coming from an heritage of musicians, for generations there was always some musician in the family.

How did you first became interest in music? My first performances took place in elementary school, I was always called to be the performer in every event, I took theatre, drama and dancing classes when I was a child until I went to the conservatory of Music and took the music as a serious career. 

Who where some of your first musical influences? Because I first studied classical music I was very attached to the forms and the techniques, I was only allowed to follow what the composers wanted, technically, and when you are an Opera student in Italy you have to, once I was kicked out of Interpretation class because my teacher found out that I was singing at a Piano Bar.  I discover the pleasure of feeling the freedom of jazz music only after graduating and hanging my diploma on the wall.  I admired Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

How would you describe you musical style? I am a rebel in a way, I can’t be attached to a form or to a style, I love to experiment with different ingredients, I lived with so many different cultures and countries and every single place left traces on my way.  While living in Israel I fusioned middle eastern sound with jazz and while in Spain I incorporated flamenco and arab andaluz beats with jazz. 

What is it about your music that you want your audience to understand after a performance? I want to please everybody in the audience but I know that I can’t, after a performance I always feel that something was missing but every show to me it’s a spiritual experience.  I give my soul that’s for sure, I love to transmit my energy and then hear from people that were spiritually touched.  I consider that something that only music can do.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not performing music? Reading, dancing salsa, going to museums, traveling, learning and tasting new wines.

At this stage in your music career, how would you describe your inner-musical artistic spirit? I am very soul driven artist, I need to feel and be impacted by the song and the artist, that it’s for every genre, I am also very open minded in music I listed to all types of music.  The only way that I can transmit and intepretate my best it’s by believing in what I do and I do believe, music it’s a religion in a way.

Looking into the future, what are some significant things you aspire to accomplish as a performing artist? I have a long way to go, 2010 will be a big year for me because I am releasing my first jazz record a full american production with exception of the masterization that will be done overseas, I am looking forward to many performances and reviews.