Bourbon Street Band
Montgomery Village, Maryland, United States | SELF
Music
Press
When you think of blues most people think of greats like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmi Hendrix, or Eric Clapton. Some even think of greats like Robert Johnson, or Leadbelly. Right here in the Washington DC area we have some of the greatest blues players ever, and one rarely sees them outside of a small club on a dark corner. One of these greats is a fellow by the name of Montana. Originally from the Washington DC area, he fine tuned his skills in New Orleans, and came back home to the Washington DC/Baltimore area to bless us with his years of work which were tuned to perfection. Montana can play blues, and turn on a dime to play some of the best Hip Hop, or country found in America today. A truly great musician, with not only the guitar skills one loves to find, but also one of the worlds greatest harmonica sounds around today. Truly amazing skills. I first heard him at the Silo Inn in Olney, Maryland in the mid 90's. That was one of his favorite haunts for years. Then I lost track of Montana when the Silo Inn closed down, and I longed to hear his blues until I recenlty saw him again at Blues Alley in Washington DC. He was like a fine wine. He just got better with age. I am hoping Montana sticks around the DC area for awhile so that I can enjoy the music, and the trip. When I spoke to him after a set he told me he had just gotten back from playing in Amsterdam, and that the Coffee Houses were the most fun. I wonder why.
Tom Freedman
Entertainment - Washington Post
Discography
Montana's CD Releases:
Montana: At The Crossroads
Montana: Remixed
Montana: In Amsterdam
Golden Monkey
Photos
Bio
Montana was born in Washington DC. From his earliest years Montana was around music, as his father, a very well known Big Band Leader, introduced Montana to the saxophone and clarinet at a very early age in life. Tastes being what they are, Montana and his father never jelled when it came to styles, and Montana followed his own path into the world of music.
During the 80’s Montana moved to Montana, thus the nickname and stage name Montana, and his life changed from that point. That is when he became interested in the guitar, and country music. He played in several local bands, and put his knowledge of music to work. Guitar, harmonica, and vocals were his forte, and he learned them well. Then came the blues.
While playing in a country gospel band in Montana, Montana fell in love with the sound of the American Southern Gospel Music; especially the Jimmy Swaggart Band. Although Jimmy fell from grace, Montana always thought his band was just electric. He recognized the blues based sounds, and decided this was something he wanted to go deeper into. That was when he decided to move back east, and go to where it all started.
During Montana's musical journey he dipped into ragtime, jazz, and all the forms of blues. He lived in Baltimore and played the Inner Harbor, he lived in Atlanta and played the Atlanta Underground. He lived in New Orleans and played the French Quarter, he lived in Saint Lewis and played the jazz clubs on the waterfront. The live venue was where he felt comfortable. It was where he met the kind of people he wanted to know. Real people that loved real music. Although Montana had several opportunities to record, and actually did record with bands that were seeking blues specialists, he never actively looked to record. It was always a favor done for a friend. He was perfectly happy doing just what he was doing, and he had a loyal following. In many clubs he was known as the midnight man, as many times he would appear at midnight and sit in with bands as favors to friends, and the clubs would go electric.
Montana does it all. Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz, Country, and while on tour in China he played Chinese Music with a blues twist that made the crowd give him the name: Golden Monkey. The final CD in his Legacy Series will be called Golden Monkey. You don't want to miss it.
Mike had several bands over the years. The Blues Project, and Blue Moon are two of the better known. Both had done some recording as demos for clubs, but nothing for commercial sale. In 2005 Montana started his Bourbon St. Band, and the rest was history.
Links
