Chris Montgomery

Chris Montgomery, a contemporary jazz guitarist has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious festival stages. Influenced by Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Lee  Ritenour, Pat Martino, George Benson, the genius of  Wes Montgomery, and Oscar Peterson, Chris fuses classic jazz with contemporary sensibilities. He is also heavily influenced by classical composers, Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Bach, Debussy, Ravel, and Astor Piazzolla.

musical experiences

Guitarist Chris Montgomery has performed internationally, including: the world famous Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the DuMaurier Jazz Festival, Omni La Costa Resort, the Escondido Performing Arts Center, The California Center for the Arts, Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. He has worked with such music luminaries as Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson, Phil Nimmons, Taj Mahal, Eric Marienthal, Willie Murillo, Becky Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Sammy Nestico and Rob McConnell. For many years Chris performed and directed the Coastal Cities Jazz Band and performed and directed the award winning Coastal Communities Concert Band.

the art

Chris has worked with many prominent stars including Sir Simon Rattle, Angela Gheorghiu, Joyce DiDonato, Yundi, Sarah Chang, Gabriela Montero, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Ben Heppner and Alison Balsom.  He was also responsible for EMI and RCA’s iconic catalogue of recordings, a collection that includes Maria Callas, Pablo Casals, Maurice Andrée, Sir Thomas Beecham, Andrée Previn, Herbert von Karajan Arthur Fiedler, Jascha Heifetz and Artur Rubinstein.

Chris has produced box-set anthologies including: 70 years of RCA Jazz, Julian Bream Collection and An Evening with the Boston Pops.  He has received numerous industry awards including a Canadian Juno Nomination and Gold Records for recording that include: 2010 Vancouver Olympics Soundtrack, Ben Heppner’s “Great Tenor Arias” and Heppner “Sings Lohengrin”, The Chieftains and Yanni.

…most importantly, Chris loves music!

Awards

Artist Bio

February 13, 2020
IMA Nominee - Best Blues Song, "Shuffle Blues"
IMA Nominee - Best Jazz Instrumental Song, "With Love"
Best Jazz Producer - Chris Montgomery and David Whitman for "Soul Flow" David Whitman"

March 31, 2018 -
IMA Winner - Best Jazz Instrumental for David Whitman's "Oh, Clara!"
IMA Nominee - Best Jazz Producer

Gear

1967 Gibson Barney Kessel, D'Angelicos, Ibanez GB10, G&L Custom Tele, Henricksen Amp, Mesa Boogie Lone Star 2x12, Polytone Fusion

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