On tour, SisterMonk meets a diversity of listeners who feel renewed by their music. SisterMonk has been noted by Luaka Bop and Triloka Records. Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista (who has toured with Sting, Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, and Milton Nascimento) encouraged them on an independent path.

In 1999, Jody Rubel and Kathleen Deane formed SisterMonk, later joined by trombonist David Ritt and bass player Heather Woods.

Born in Queens, NY, Kathleen moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she discovered a sustaining and creative connection with nature. Kathy is the supple backbone of SisterMonk. A powerhouse performer, she sings and plays djembe, guitar & bells in the breath of a single song. Her voice is poetical, political and lyrical.

Travels in the Andes in his early twenties led Jody to become a guitarist. For ten years he has sounded this devotion, keeping an open mind with yoga and zen. Constantly creative, Jody draws on rhythms from every culture of the world. His lyrics have the strange beauty of dreams & moments of deep reflection.

David joined the Seattle Symphony two decades ago, as its second-youngest premiere member. He encountered SisterMonk performing on the street, and was impressed with their level of accomplishment. He has since brought his own melodic flair to the collaboration. David plays unique horns, like the bass-trumpet, created for Wagner's opera "The Ring."

Heather is a doctor of naturopathic medicine in Seattle and began her musical career twenty-five years ago in Ubu, a Bay Area band. She joined SisterMonk in October, 2001 on bass and flute.

SMH tours on both coasts. In New York, they recently appeared at the Open Center, Le Bar Bats, Tower Records, Borders Books, and the Knitting Factory. Closer to Seattle, they have performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Hempfest, Bastyr University, Evergreen State College, The Vashon Earth Faire, the Whidbey Institute, the Heartwood Institute, and numerous other engagements.