About Monte

Voice, Vibraphone, Keyboards, Guitar, Chromatic Harmonica, Drums, Bass. Specializing in Creative American Music, known as Straight-Ahead Jazz, and Rhythm & Blues.

Known as “The Soulful One,” I have played guitar, bass, and keys with The Average White Band. I’m a featured vocalist, guitarist, and vibraphonist with the current Rolling Stones, and original David Letterman Show, drummer Steve Jordan - backing Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Ray Parker Jr., Taj Mahal, and Robert Cray, to name a few. I worked for many years at Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar as featured singer, keyboard, and chromatic harmonica player - it wasn’t unusual to pop in and hear me duet with Valerie Simpson.

On the jazz scene, I’ve played vibes with Branford and Wynton Marsalis; played vibes on film soundtracks composed by Terence Blanchard; played piano, vibes, and chromatic harmonica with vocalist Cassandra Wilson. I’m prominently featured on jazz legend, saxophonist Jimmy Heath’s final album, and trumpeter Nicholas Payton’s first. I’m a mainstay, on vocals and vibes, with ubiquitous drummer Brian Blade, and my own groups featuring legends like drummer Lenny White. I can be heard on recent jazz recordings by guitarist Ed Cherry, and Steve Johns. I’m carrying the R&B tradition forward as well, singing, playing keys, guitar and chromatic harmonica with the band ACDS LIFE!

I am an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, teaching vibraphone, mallet labs, and jazz ensemble, and 2025 guest professor at Hanze Conservatory, Groningen, Netherlands.

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