Known for his lyrical style of playing, Monasterios was particularly influenced by the work of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and McCoy Tyner.
[3] Entering 1997, Monasterios released his first album, Roads Not Taken, to expand his own sound world with a selection of eight original compositions, which featured upright bassist Marc Johnson and multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan among other invitees.
[3] In between, Monasterios still performing and recording with a significant number of jazz musicians, like Randy Brecker, Donald Byrd, Larry Coryell, Paquito D’Rivera, Allan Harris, Terumasa Hino, Freddie Hubbard, Dave Liebman, Othello Molineaux, Nathen Page, Claudio Roditi, Arturo Sandoval, Néstor Torres, Dave Valentin and Jeff 'Tain' Watts, as well as for performers including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Shakira and David Lee Roth.
Besides, Monasterios offers an assortment of Venezuelan percussion instruments and rhythms, in a firm understanding of his roots without deviating from the jazz mainstream and the urban music landscape.
[8][9] Currently, Monasterios continues performing in different cities of the United States, and regularly conducts clinics, master classes and workshops at colleges, universities and arts centers around the World, including the prestigious National Network of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela, also known as El Sistema.