JohnMontesante

John Montesante

"Australia's Ambassador of Soul"

As early as 1976, John Montesante (then known professionally as John Santos), had received national attention as Musician-Arranger, as this extract from a feature article on him illustrates:

"One of the trailblazers of Melbourne's music scene for a long time has been (young trumpeter) John Montesante ... It is not just by virtue of his huge tone on the instrument and his easy improvisational skills that John has been so important to the scene, but also for his writing. For a long time his charts have been legendary for their demanding and thoughtful musical innovations. It is a test for any reading musician to keep up with some of John's work in this area...."

Stan van Hooft - "Jazz Down Under"
(March/April 1976)

Not only has John Montesante played trumpet and single-handedly engaged hundreds of Musicians over a lifetime since this review appeared, he has also especially orchestrated and arranged all the 300+ Soul & Rhythm & Blues tunes performed by the Band since 1981.

John's outstanding gifts as a respected Arranger has been a key factor in GRAND WAZOO' s musical excellence and longevity.

When he acted as Musical Director for Soul Legends Sam & Dave during their 1985 Australian Tour, they were so impressed by his arrangements that he was offered the opportunity to continue working with them internationally, but other commitments kept him in Australia at that time.

Despite his amazing ongoing commitment as :

Australia's Pioneer of Black Soul Music with GRAND WAZOO, Montesante has retained his passion for Jazz, and performs with his Quintet (JMQ) as well. Occasionally, he also conducts his big band, JM’s Cafe Society Orchestra. More of the Jazz aspect of this polymath may be found on http://www.johnmontesantejazz.com

Music is Montesante’s life-blood, and when time allows, he is also vitally interested in American history, war history, cinema, his garden, renovations, and training to remain fit. John credits his late partner, Carol Anderson, (who died in 2005) as his greatest inspiration.

John Montesante continues to arrange, perform and provide gigs for his fellow musicians and public, as he has done continuously for close to 30 years; never seeking recognition for himself and always working for the ‘greater good’. He remains a quiet, yet outstanding achiever — as one of Australia's finest Arrangers & Band Leaders.

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