Chris Montague
Half Cut – written and produced by Chris Montague and Sarah Gillespie
Click the album cover to listen
About Chris
Chris Montague is widely recognised for his skills as a guitarist, composer and producer.
As a founder member of Troyka he has gained a reputation for his distinctive approach to the guitar and has received much acclaim for his contribution to many contemporary recordings as player, writer and producer.
Chris was born in Gateshead (UK) and began playing guitar at an early age. Some of the musicians and bands Chris has worked with have included; Troyka, Squarepusher, Benny Greb’s Moving Parts, Kit Downes, Dave Douglas, Janek Gwizdala, Sarah Gillespie, Monocled Man, Charlie Watts, Darryl Jones, Chuck Leavell, Django Bates, Shinya Fukumori, BJ Cole, Colin Town’s Blue Touch Paper, Nick Smart’s Trogon, Trish Clowe’s Tangent, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Chris is also a Spitfire Audio and Native Instruments recording artist.
Chris’ trio ‘Warmer than Blood’ with Kit Downes (ECM) on piano and acclaimed bassist Ruth Goller on bass released its debut album in May 2020 with Whirlwind recordings.
As a composer Chris has received several commissions to write for different musicians, including: Royal Academy of Music Big Band, Threads Orchestra, EFG London Jazz Festival, Brother Tree string quartet, and several large guitar ensemble pieces for Hull and London Jazz Festivals. As a producer and composer Chris has contributed to many releases, including the Sarah Gillespie album ‘Half Cut’, released on Pastiche records in February 2024. Chris is also producer/musical director for the Create Now Academy, which has released many albums for recording artists on the Pastiche label.
Chris is currently working on a new quartet of original music with UK guitar legend Ant Law and a duo improv album with ECM pianist/organist Kit Downes. Chris also delivers mentoring packages which are tailored to up level your playing, creativity and career development.
Chris was made an associate member of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in 2013, an award that recognises former students for their contribution to the music environment in which they have been active since graduating. In 2006 Chris was runner up at the Montreux International Jazz Guitar competition and won a Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2015 for best album with his big band album, ‘Troykestra Live at Cheltenham Jazz Festival’.
In 2017 Chris was selected as a finalist and prizewinner in the Jazz composer category by the Arts Foundation, an organisation which has been recognising and supporting artists of all disciplines for the past 25 years.
“Wow just discovered this band TROYKA with their album ORNITHOBIA…….. f*cking banging, wow”
“Exceptional record this one…a real piece of immense beauty”
“Montague, I suppose the UK’s greatest jazz guitarist since John Mclaughlin…”
“Ruggedly innovative”.