JOHN MONTAGNA

Photo Credit: David Sanborn by Sam Zhang courtesy of the artist

https://www.culturesonar.com/sanborn-sessions-a-new-day-for-night-music/

Those closest to me know how passionate I am about "Night Music," the revolutionary music series hosted by David Sanborn on NBC from 1988-1990.  So you…

I recently fell under the spell of son Cubano thanx to Craft Recordings' red hot "Complete Cuban Jam Sessions" box set! 

Check out my review for CultureSonar here. 

Be well

JM

Photo Credit: Cachao and His…

Today's episode is entitled "Yesterday And Today."  Jeff and I re-examine some of our favorite music from our youth to see if it holds up to our modern-day, grown-up scrutiny. Click the photo and listen to find out what happens…

http://www.culturesonar.com/breaking-it-down-ep1/

It's been so hard to keep this a secret until now!  My dear friend and fellow bassist Jeff Ganz and I have created "Breaking It Down," a music podcast for CultureSonar.  We will explore the music, players and…

http://www.culturesonar.com/sonny-rollins-way-out-west/

Sonny Rollins is undoubtedly one of the most influential American jazz musicians of all time.  His landmark LP "Way Out West" just turned 60, and Craft Recordings has released a 2-LP deluxe anniversary reissue that's worth every penny…

http://www.culturesonar.com/nightmusic/

For two seasons on NBC (1988-1990) David Sanborn hosted "Night Music," showcasing the finest musicians in jazz, rock, R&B, the blues and everything in between. My final CultureSonar piece for 2017 celebrates this ground-breaking TV series, a "vortex…

Sunday morning 10.29.17 11am I switched on the Facebook Live with my bass and jammed for almost 2 hours.  Here's the best stuff! 

Be well

JM

http://www.culturesonar.com/10-quintessential-bass-lines-80s-pop/

A young man and his Peavey Fury bass, circa 1987.  What music inspired this fine youngster to pick up a bass guitar and learn how to play?  How were his sensibilities formed about what the function of…

http://www.culturesonar.com/mariah-carey/

My latest piece for CultureSonar is live, extolling the virtues of Mariah Carey.  Time to recognize Mimi as the American Cultural Icon that she is!  

#ARIESPOWER

Be well

JM

We celebrated Ringo Starr's 77th birthday with a full set of his solo hits and some choice Beatles cuts.  Many thanx to my incredible band of stellar musicians: Bennett Paster (keys), Benny Landa (guitar), Anthony Babino (guitar), Steven Babino…

Being a freelance writer in the internet age is not for the faint of heart.  The court of public opinion has grown wider and more vicious than ever, with “comments” sections full of self-appointed thought leaders skewering anything and anyone…

The news about the Fyre Festival disaster spread fast.  Hordes of unsuspecting millennials who were promised a luxurious "VIP music experience" in the Bahamas were simply cheated out of thousands of dollars, and left stranded on an island with bad…