Antoinette Montague

35th Annual American Jazz Festival

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Two Sets: 1:00-2:00 pm & 3:00-4:00 pm
Bill Wurtzel & the Jazz Icons featuring Antoinette Montague
Celebrating the Legacy of Jazz
on 52nd Street 6th Avenue and 52nd Street New York, NY

Biography
Antoinette Montague has appeared on the cover of Jazz Improv’s Jazz Guide and on two book covers of Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret and Music (from 1600’s to Now). She has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the Zebra Room in Harlem’s famous Lenox Lounge, the legendary Blue Note, the Blue Smoke :: Jazz Standard with the Winard Harper Sextet and Dr. Billy Taylor. Antoinette was hired as a leader opposite Jr. Mance for Jazzmobile’s Summer Breeze Concert Series with Houston Person for a tribute to Junior Mance with Winard Harper, Tommy James and Bill Moring. Antoinette works most regularly with Bill Easely, a brilliant and versatile reed player,who performs equally forcefully on alto, tenor, and baritone saxes as well as flute, piccolo, and clarinet.

Born and raised in Newark, Antoinette Montague released her first CD Pretty Blues in 2006, but she has had many invaluable musical experiences. She worked in gospel and R&B ensembles after college, serves as the vice president of the International Women in Jazz, and considers Carrie Smith, Etta Jones, Della Griffin and Myrna Lake to be her mentors.
“She has a powerful voice, the ability to hold long notes without wavering, and a knack for making every song sound bluesy. Antoinette Montague’s delivery is heartfelt, infectious and memorable.” — Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
Antoinette has worked extensively in the New York area during the past decade with such musicians as Bill Easley, Norman Simmons, Winard Harper, Wycliffe Gordon, Frank Wess, the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Mike Longo’s New York State of the Arts Orchestra and Lou Donaldson has introduced her to many of his audiences.
“If this is the future of Jazz or Blues or even Rock & Roll, then the music is in very good hands.” — Sound Bytes

Antoinette frequently appears at many Jazz Societies and Festivals. Antoinette is on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of America, Better Business Bureau, The Jazz Committee of St. Peters Church, International Women in Jazz, and the Women In Jazz Festival.
“Her ability to both belt the blues and swing with a jazz band is in full evidence on her debut album Pretty Blues. With a style that can be powerful one moment and soft-and delicate the next, her lusty and soulful voice reaches right into the heart of the listener.” —The Portland Observer

Recording and releasing Pretty Blues on the Consolidated Artists label raised her profile and has given her fame beyond the East Coast. On this highly enjoyable CD, Antoinette Montague is featured belting out blues, interpreting sensitive ballads, combining passion and sophistication, and making every song sound fresh, infectious and topical. Antoinette is hard at work on her sophomore release, a new CD entitled Behind the Smile. Stay tuned for more information about this and her upcoming area appearances.