PHOTO BY JAKE GORST
John Montagna was born on April 18, 1972 in Astoria, New York. He began playing the bass guitar at age 12 under the influence of classic British rock, and melodic bassists such as Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones and Jack Bruce. He attended New York's "Famed" LaGuardia High School of Music and Art, and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He also studied briefly with bass guitar virtuoso Anthony Jackson, who provided him with insights into the instrument that remain with him to this day.
John's captivating stage presence and natural gift for bold, melodic bass lines have made him one of New York City's most sought-after bassists and vocalists. He has performed and recorded with dozens of Big Apple-based artists such as Francis Dunnery, Amel Larrieux, Chris Orbach, and The Maxes. Additionally, he has logged thousands of road miles touring the world and elsewhere with legendary rockers such as Alan Parsons, Todd Rundgren, and former Wings guitarist Denny Laine.
John has also released four independent solo CDs, showcasing his extraordinary talents as a composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. His genre-defying music serves as an ideal context for his fiery bass guitar playing. Onstage, John performs his own music solo, accompanying himself with a 4-string bass guitar.
John lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Jill, and their daughter, Francesca. He plays Spector bass guitars, and he strings them with Rotosound Strings. He prefers heavy gague (1.0mm) plectrums, a sold-out small venue versus a half-empty large one, and Pellegrino sparkling water with a piece of lime and no ice.