George Montague

Over at the Jazz Arena a pleasingly large audience witnessed two exciting performances by young local artists...
Putting on a show seemed to be becoming the theme of the day. Twenty one year old singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist George Montague is another born entertainer, a restless stage presence with a goofy, almost camp sense of humour. More importantly he’s a singer with a soulful voice that is well suited to his pop/r’n'b material and an excellent pianist who is also capable of occasionally doubling up on guitar or even ukulele.
Although he was the least obviously “jazz” act that I saw this weekend his “notsobigband” featured a number of names that have graced the Jazzmann pages including guitarist Lee Jones, drummer Tom Hooper and a rather underused Andy Hague on trumpet. Bristol based Hague was part of a horn section that also featured trombonist Matt Coleman and tenor saxophonist Dan Foster. The electric bass of Harry Sutton rounded out the group.
Montague began at the piano for “Blood Ties” a song featuring an agreeable funk groove and an opening solo from guitarist Jones.
“Love Struck Fool”, a modern variation on the Cinderella story was sourced from Montague’s début album “Have You Met George?” and exhibited a real r’n'b raunch with features for Jones and Coleman plus the whistling of Montague.
The eccentric “Otto Orange” was described by Montague as being about a “teenager who doesn’t do much”. The song saw Montague moving to his acoustic guitar (apparently called “Gloria”) and borrowing from Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky” riff.
Montague moved back to piano for “Speechless”, another song steeped in vintage r’n'b and fuelled by a tight bass and drum groove plus the punchy attack of the horns and particularly featured tenor soloist Foster.
Foster and bassist Sutton were also in fine form on “Mind”, another song sourced from Montague’s début album.
The title of the next piece eluded me but featured Montague moving between electric piano and ukulele as Sutton’s funky electric bass groove laid the foundations for solos from Foster, Hague, Coleman and Jones on one of the set’s most obviously jazz orientated pieces.
The mock horror of “Hamish” featured Montague at his most eccentric. A restless performer the manic energy and wacky humour of his performance had many of the audience wondering “ just what is he on?” - the answer being nothing more than youthful ebullience and enthusiasm hopefully. Twice he left the stage to race dementedly around the venue as the band played on, Lee Jones holding the fort with an excellent guitar solo.
“Evil Twin” was played after a vociferous request from a female member of the audience and adopted a ska groove, with another quasi theatrical performance from Montague climaxed by a powerful solo from Hooper at the drums. The set concluded with audience sing-along “The Smoke”. Like Fresh Dixie project Montague enjoyed an overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception.
Overall Montague’s material was all a bit too “poppy” for my tastes but once again I enjoyed what I had seen. Montague is obviously a considerable talent, a powerful singer and a more than useful instrumentalist. He’s also got a genuine stage presence, albeit a decidedly wacky one. The singer was well served by an excellent band, many of them comparative veterans who wouldn’t be playing with this guy if he hadn’t got what it takes. Not entirely my cup of tea (something incidentally, that Montague uses as a prop) but expect to hear a lot more from George Montague. Mainstream success may beckon and I wouldn’t rule out his coming back to headline in the Big Top some time in the future.
Ian’s Star Rating 3.5 Stars each - The Jazz Mann

Over at the Jazz Arena a pleasingly large audience witnessed two exciting performances by young local artists...
Putting on a show seemed to be becoming the theme of the day. Twenty one year old singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist George Montague is another born entertainer, a restless stage presence with a goofy, almost camp sense of humour. More importantly he’s a singer with a soulful voice that is well suited to his pop/r’n'b material and an excellent pianist who is also capable of occasionally doubling up on guitar or even ukulele.
Although he was the least obviously “jazz” act that I saw this weekend his “notsobigband” featured a number of names that have graced the Jazzmann pages including guitarist Lee Jones, drummer Tom Hooper and a rather underused Andy Hague on trumpet. Bristol based Hague was part of a horn section that also featured trombonist Matt Coleman and tenor saxophonist Dan Foster. The electric bass of Harry Sutton rounded out the group.
Montague began at the piano for “Blood Ties” a song featuring an agreeable funk groove and an opening solo from guitarist Jones.
“Love Struck Fool”, a modern variation on the Cinderella story was sourced from Montague’s début album “Have You Met George?” and exhibited a real r’n'b raunch with features for Jones and Coleman plus the whistling of Montague.
The eccentric “Otto Orange” was described by Montague as being about a “teenager who doesn’t do much”. The song saw Montague moving to his acoustic guitar (apparently called “Gloria”) and borrowing from Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky” riff.
Montague moved back to piano for “Speechless”, another song steeped in vintage r’n'b and fuelled by a tight bass and drum groove plus the punchy attack of the horns and particularly featured tenor soloist Foster.
Foster and bassist Sutton were also in fine form on “Mind”, another song sourced from Montague’s début album.
The title of the next piece eluded me but featured Montague moving between electric piano and ukulele as Sutton’s funky electric bass groove laid the foundations for solos from Foster, Hague, Coleman and Jones on one of the set’s most obviously jazz orientated pieces.
The mock horror of “Hamish” featured Montague at his most eccentric. A restless performer the manic energy and wacky humour of his performance had many of the audience wondering “ just what is he on?” - the answer being nothing more than youthful ebullience and enthusiasm hopefully. Twice he left the stage to race dementedly around the venue as the band played on, Lee Jones holding the fort with an excellent guitar solo.
“Evil Twin” was played after a vociferous request from a female member of the audience and adopted a ska groove, with another quasi theatrical performance from Montague climaxed by a powerful solo from Hooper at the drums. The set concluded with audience sing-along “The Smoke”. Like Fresh Dixie project Montague enjoyed an overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception.
Overall Montague’s material was all a bit too “poppy” for my tastes but once again I enjoyed what I had seen. Montague is obviously a considerable talent, a powerful singer and a more than useful instrumentalist. He’s also got a genuine stage presence, albeit a decidedly wacky one. The singer was well served by an excellent band, many of them comparative veterans who wouldn’t be playing with this guy if he hadn’t got what it takes. Not entirely my cup of tea (something incidentally, that Montague uses as a prop) but expect to hear a lot more from George Montague. Mainstream success may beckon and I wouldn’t rule out his coming back to headline in the Big Top some time in the future.
Ian’s Star Rating 3.5 Stars each - The Jazz Mann

George Montague has already clocked up more than 3 million views on Youtube with his unique brand of charismatic pop funk and now that the Gloucestershire boy has created one of the most engaging albums in history, its no surprise he has received worldwide appraisal.

George has the wisdom of someone way beyond his 21 years of age. He is an accomplished piano, bass, ukulele and guitar player. Not to mention a talented singer-songwriter. Have You Met George is a blend of genres from soul to pop spawning an upbeat bouncy debut album.

The standout track on the album is Waiting Room a wonderfully touching tribute to his friend who is no longer with us. This spine tingling song shows that George has the ability to evoke real emotion to anyone who listens to him, something that is desperately missing in mainstream pop music these days.

His hopeless romantic side is unleashed in Blood Ties a funky number that will have your feet within a couple of seconds of listening. But its George's sharp grizzly vocals that really command your attention.

Hold On will put a spring into your step. The groovy song about the rollercoaster ride that is life will relate to everyone and anyone.

Infectiously catchy Hamish will be stuck in your head from the first listen. This will become an instant jazz classic with its optimistic ambience.

The tempo is taken down for Footprints In The Rain which is a poignant soulful ballad with George's raspy voice taking centre stage.

George Montague has created one of the most innovative debut albums of 2012. Move over Ed Sheeran there is a new male singer songwriter phenomenon.
- Bright Shiny News

A further example of youth prodigy is Gloucestershire's George Montague, already familiar to many of BBC Radio Gloucestershire's listeners.

His brand of jazz-rock fusion is breath taking, calling to mind a worthy comparison with Ben Folds Five.

There are elements of soul and funk (along with musical allusions to Mika and Billy Joel) and plenty of fun in his songs.

Where else could you expect to hear a song in which the phenomenon of having songs stuck in your head is humanised and given the name ''Hamish'? Nowhere. That's where. Absolutely nowhere.

George Montague is, to put it bluntly, annoyingly talented. He deserves only to do very, very well. And this is even more annoying. - BBC News

GEORGE MONTAGUE – ‘Blood Ties’
One of several tunes touched by The Spirit Of Jazz, this is lighter and, for want of a better word, more commercial than the others. It’s easy to see Montague filling the well-polished shoes of Jamie Cullum et al with his infectious, Radio 2-friendly big band sound. I’ve only got one criticism of this song – the gratuitous and completely OTT guitar solo. God, I hate that solo. Other than that, it’s really rather good - Fresh On The Net

Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music: "Daft, charming and original" - White Cavalry video and song.

Tom Robinson BBC 6Music: “I met the charismatic and talented pianist and songwriter George Montague this weekend at Wiltshire's Concert At The Kings - a Rock Against Cancer gig hosted by Bob Harris with a lineup that included Madeline Bell, Midge Ure, Brian May, Mike Rutherford and The Sweet. Last Month we featured a song by George on this mixtape called White Cavalry, which had already enjoyed nearly half a million views on YouTube. Yesterday he gave me a copy of his beautifully presented CD album Have You Met George, from which this is his - and my - favourite track. Playing the Introducing stage at Wychwood Festival (8-10 June) - recommended by BBC Gloucestershire Introducing.”
- Tom Robinson

A jazz musician from Gloucestershire has put the finishing touches to his debut album.

George Montague, 20, got his lucky break after being spotted at a pub gig by a local film-maker who then paid for him to record the album. - BBC News

A jazz musician from Gloucestershire has put the finishing touches to his debut album.

George Montague, 20, got his lucky break after being spotted at a pub gig by a local film-maker who then paid for him to record the album. - BBC News

George Montague is going to be a star of the future - Chris Baxter BBC Radio Gloucestershire - BBC Radio Gloucestershire

George Montague is a rising star, fantastic pianist, great musician - just supremely gifted young talent - Chris Gordon, Nibley Festival - BBC News

George Montague is a rising star, fantastic pianist, great musician - just supremely gifted young talent - Chris Gordon, Nibley Festival - BBC News