Montana Skies
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Montana Skies

Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States

Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Band Folk

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Album Review"

"The finger-style guitar of Jonathan gels together with Jennifer's cello, rambling across a map of influences from American folk and Arabic music to jazz, flamenco and pop. And Montana Skies' unrelenting tour schedule is geared toward taking this harmonious hybrid to the masses."

- Atlanta Journal Constitution


"Album Review"

"Hypnotic, imaginative and played with deep passion and expression."

- Acoustic Guitar Magazine


"Concert Review"

Phenomenal... that is the only word to describe a performance by Montana Skies. - TheNooze.Net (magazine and internet)


"Live DVD Review"

Jen Adams plays the cello and is as apt to percuss it as any CandyRat guitarist, nor is she the kind of shrinking violet one sees somberly sawing the instrument in an orchestra - that is, Ms. Adams is quite unafraid to express body language as she bows that huge violin. During Malaguena, the cellist launches into a furious neoclassical improv, scurrying up and down the neck in a hornet chase, and in Classical Gas, she resorts to an odd portable electric cello that's mostly neck with a small soundbox, a much more compact affair allowing her to roam the stage.
Jonathan Adams wields his guitar as though the strings were made of glass, eliciting crystalline notes, clear and transparent, precise and defined. He notes to the audience that there's not a lot of music written for guitar and cello. When you think about that, and especially when you hear the highly sympathetic work here, that's rather striking. Such a well-matched sonority and yet the catalogue is scarce...proabably because the guitar has always been granted only a place of vulgarity in the classicalist mind for the most part. Ah, but could Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and Faure have but heard what's going on here (and, well, Bartok and Ligeti as well), that prejudice might well have changed overnight.
- Acousticmusic.com/FAME Magazine


"Live DVD Review"

While viewing Live from the Mable Barnes Amphitheatre, the recently (and independently) released DVD from the classically trained jam duo (and UGA alumni) Montana Skies, it becomes evident and obvious quite quickly: guitarist Jonathan Adams and his cello-shredding sparkplug wife Jennifer are as accomplished with their respective instruments as the inventors behind said instruments ever hoped musicians they crafted for would (or could) be. “I’ve wondered, ‘What would Bach think about rock music?,’ and I think classical composers from that era would be incredibly excited and really jump into the style,” shares Jennifer.

Another thing that’s quickly apparent, even without the telling body language from Mrs. Adams during set-opener “Malaguena” (the popular Ernesto Lecuona piece), is the fact that the pair had no choice but to be lovers. No, you haven’t drifted to Ms. Inov’s Reality Check, but I suspect the execution of sensual instrumental compositions inspired by Latin rhythms (“Gringo Flamenco”) and reinterpretations of rock music (they offer teases and full-blown covers from venerable bands like The Beatles, The Police, even Kansas) require (and at the very least benefit from) a libido-fueled swagger. "Yeah, there’s definitely a passion we share,” admits Jonathan, adding, “Everything just feels right - it doesn’t even feel like playing with a separate person. It’s as if we’re one unit.”

- Flagpole Magazine- Athens, GA


Discography

Live from the Mable Barnes Amphitheater, DVD+ CD album set (Spring 2009)
Lift (2006)
Chasing the Sun (2004)
Montana Skies (2002)
Getting Into Fingerstyle Guitar- Mel Bay Publications
by Jonathan Adams (2002)

Photos

Bio

MONTANA SKIES

A must see live concert experience:  a duo with the full spectrum of an orchestra crossed with the energy of a rock band. Winners of the Lifestyle Radio Music Awards for Best New Artist of 2004 and Best Contemporary Acoustic Album of 2005, Jennifer and Jonathan create a “new acoustic” sound with their pairing of cello, six-string electric cello, Spanish/classical guitar, and steel string guitar. These astounding musicians delve into music from Pink Floyd and Rush to Vivaldi, House of the Rising Sun, and Bach, as well as their own award winning originals that have been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel.  Using a wide range of effects, Jennifer Adams' blazing electric cello and Jonathan Adams' guitar wizardry combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable. Montana Skies has an extensive tour schedule which has taken them all across the US, Canada and to Asia and Russia.

Jonathan and Jennifer met while studying music at the University of Georgia. Recognizing a kindred spirit in each other's devotion to their music, the desire to share music together was ignited immediately. The two assumed they would be performing classical recitals and great works for the cello and guitar; then, in one trip to the library to select music, their whole world of classical intentions came crashing down. The discovery: music written for cello and guitar was as rare as the combination itself -- no great classical works existed. What resulted from this new musical freedom of expression between the two was the formation of Montana Skies, and a unique style of music that would garner instant recognition and praise. Jonathan explains, "The fact that 'ready made' repertoire is not available for our combination of instruments is really what pushes us to be more creative with our music. We love composing and arranging, and appreciate the opportunity to present old favorites, along with newer music, to our audiences."

Montana Skies' name is taken from one of the first songs Jonathan composed for the group titled "Montana Skies." The song was written specifically about being in Montana and the joy of inspiration Jonathan felt from its natural beauty. At the time of its composition, he and Jennifer were completing their individual studies of music (he in Montana and she in Italy) and they realized that they would like to be together. Written during a crucial turning point in their relationship, the song marked the beginning of the duo's musical collaboration and their newly found sound.

Montana Skies maintains an active touring schedule. Highlights from their touring has included: the Seoul Arts Center (2,500 seats) in S. Korea, Great Falls Civic Auditorium (1,800 seats) in Montana, and the new backstage series at the Morrison Center in Boise, Idaho. Jonathan's full length instructional book and CD, "Getting Into Fingerstyle Guitar" was published in 2002 by Mel-Bay Publications. Additional publications are in-the-works.

For tour schedule, video and more please visit: www.montanaskiesmusic.com