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John Montesante

John Montesante's first musical passion is Jazz and he freelanced as a Jazz Trumpet early in his professional career in the late 1960s. As he didn't fit the Trad-Dixie mould of that time, and was always told he was "too modern", he diversified across genres - big bands, show & TV orchestras and soul music - in order to remain in employment as a professional artist. He came to national attention in Australia as a singular Jazz musician, composer and arranger in his late 20s, when he returned to tertiary jazz and music studies, including taking master-classes with American jazz greats. He continued to perform and arrange across genres, started his own bands in 1981 -founding Australia's premier Afro-American Soul outfit, the 13 piece Grand WaZoo in 1981, with the band continuing to perform today. Then, he introduced his 20 piece Big Band, JM's Café Society Orchestra, and in 1990, his modern jazz combo, first called 'Workin' & Steamin' performing a modern take on Bop standards. Some years later, he changed the band name to 'John Montesante Quintet' or 'The JMQ'. John performs with his Quintet, featuring many of the finest musicians and jazz singers in Australia - and has sustained a weekly Thursday Jazz residency for over 10 years at The Commune Cafe in Melbourne, Australia. He also occasionally freelances as a jazz trumpet soloist with a big sound, and still writes and performs with his legendary soul band. During 2013, he expanded his JMQ to a 10 x piece lineup, to breathe life into his new dedicated jazz arrangements, for The LITTLE BIG HORN Project, performing and recording. This band, 'John Montesante Dectet' has subsequently continued to perform in live venues. John has also been an expert Instrumental Jazz Educator for many years, with some of his initiatives being included in the Jazz Curriculum. Festival appearances include Melbourne International Jazz Festival, City of Kingston Festival, Stonnington Jazz Festival, Harvest Festival, Globe to Globe World Music Festival, Eltham Jazz Festival, Phillip Island Jazz Festival and numerous Jazz venues across the country. Available for Festivals, Concerts, Venues, Corporate, Major and Private events, Montesante's bands are reputed for their musical quality and unmatched experience.


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Jazz @ The Commune - Epicure (Press) Australia ..."And there is the John Montesante Quintet. Brilliant. Relaxing. What a way to end a working day!" Jazz @ The Commune - The Age (Press) Australia "The Jazz Quintet is mesmerising as they swing in amongst the suits drinking after work" CD Review: JMQ Live@Atlantis – Jazz Scene "This band was formed in 1990 by jazzer/arranger John Montesante, who is also well known around the Melbourne R'n'B/Soul music scene. This CD was recorded at the Atlantis Studios in front of a small audience who don't get in the way of some very good music of the vocal and instrumental varieties

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Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

JMQ Jazz Dectet The...

WaZoo Records
2013

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The LITTLE BIG HORN...

WaZoo Records
2013

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JMQ Live at Atlantis

WaZoo Records
2009

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Grand WaZoo - Soul...

WaZoo Records
2007

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Max Merritt-Live In...

Wal Bishop Enterprises
2002

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Falling In Love With Love

From: The LITTLE BIG HORN Project
By John Montesante

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