John Montagna

John Montagna was born on April 18, 1972 in Astoria, New York. At age 12 he began playing the bass guitar, under the influence of British rock bassists such as Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones and Sting. He is a graduate of New York's "Famed" High School of Music and Art, and the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

As a sought-after bass guitarist and vocalist in New York, John has worked with artists such as Francis Dunnery, Chris Orbach, Eren Cannata and Amel Larrieux. But he balances out his local NYC action by touring the world and elsewhere with legendary rockers like Alan Parsons, Todd Rundgren, and Denny Laine. John's adventures as a professional musician are recounted in his entertaining blog, which can be found at www.johnmontagna.com.

John has also released four independent solo CDs that showcase his extraordinary talents as a composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. His latest release, "SENZA," features his fiery bass playing in the front of the mix. He generally performs solo, accompanying himself on a 4-string bass guitar.

Alone onstage with his bass, John is a commanding and captivating presence. He sings and plays with a fiery intensity that reflects nearly 2 decades of gigging in every conceivable setting. He explores the full sonic and musical range of his instrument, and keeps audiences engaged with his easy-going manner and sharp wit.

John and his wife, Jill, live in Brooklyn, New York. He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802. He plays Spector bass guitars strung with Rotosound SwingBass 66 Strings (medium gague, .40 thru .95), and swears by Nemesis/Eden amplification. He prefers heavy gague (1.0mm) plectrums, a sold-out small venue versus a half-empty large one, and San Pellegrino sparkling water with a piece of lime and no ice.

http://johnmontagna.com
http://myspace.com/foureighteen