Chris Montague Masterclass

This masterclass with Chris Montague is for all guitar players who want to get better at improvisation and find new ways to practice and impro, as well as anyone who is serious about playing jazz and becoming a more creative player.

Areas covered will include:

• How to improve your time feel.
• Exercises to improve your understanding and use of the whole fretboard.
• Playing through chord changes with more confidence.

Students will gain a unique perspective on the guitar and will see new ways of approaching creative guitar playing. Plus they will probably hear a new way of practicing which will open new doors.

Artist Biography

One of the most innovative guitarists and musicians to emerge from the UK in recent years, Chris Montague is widely recognised for his skills as a composer and performer. As a founder member of Troyka he has garnered a reputation for his distinctive approach to the guitar and has gained much acclaim for his contributions to many contemporary recordings.

Chris was born in Gateshead and began playing guitar at an early age and has been fortunate to enjoy a busy performance schedule, playing most major jazz festivals throughout the world. Some of the musicians and bands Chris has played with have included; Squarepusher, Troyka, Benny Greb’s Moving Parts, Django Bates, Kit Downes, Gwilym Simcock, Tim Ries Rolling Stones Project, Charlie Watts, Darryl Jones, Chuck Leavell, Colin Town’s Blue Touch Paper, Mark Lockheart, Nick Smart’s Trogon, Trish Clowe’s Tangent, Rory Simmon’s Monocled Man. In 2006 Chris was a prize winner at the Montreux Jazz Festival International Guitar Competition.

Troyka’s second album ‘Moxxy’ was released on Edition records to glowing reviews in June 2012. This led to the band being named as one of the top ten live acts in London by Timeout magazine, alongside Hot Chip, The XX, Plan B and Micachu. November 2013 saw the release of Troyka’s 3rd album, a live big band album recorded at Cheltenham Jazz Festival and released on Impossible Ark Records and which went on to win Parliamentary Jazz album of the year. In 2015 Troyka released their 4th album 'Ornithophobia' on Naim Records.

As a composer Chris has received several commissions to write for different ensembles including the Royal Academy of Music Big Band, the Threads Orchestra and pieces for the 2013 EFG London Jazz Festival. Chris’ music has been the subject of a feature on BBC radio 3 and he is regularly included in many live broadcasts for various projects and radio stations. He has also recorded and performed with BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Chris was selected to be involved with the Take 5 artist development scheme in 2013 and 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.

http://chrismontaguemusic.com/

This masterclasss is for ICMP students only.