GuitarOne magazine calls guitarist/vocalist Coco Montoya “the
hottest southpaw in the blues” and raves about his “master touch
and killer tone.” The Boston Globe succinctly states that Montoya’s
music is “hot, blistering soul.” From his early days as a drummer
to his current status as one of the top-drawing guitarists and vocalists
on the blues-rock scene, Montoya earned his status through years of hard
work and constant touring. It started with a chance meeting in the
mid-1970s with legendary bluesman Albert Collins, who offered
Montoya a gig as his drummer. Albert took an immediate liking to
Montoya, becoming his mentor and teaching his new protégé the secrets of
Collins’ “icy hot” style of blues guitar. Five years later,
British blues icon John Mayall happened to catch Montoya at a jam
session and was blown away. Mayall recruited him as guitarist in the
legendary Bluesbreakers, and Montoya spent the next 10 years
touring non-stop, proving himself to be a world-class guitar master in
one of the most renowned blues bands in existence.
Since stepping out as a bandleader in 1993, Montoya has released several
solo albums and performed non-stop at clubs, concert halls and major
festivals all over the world. On his latest album, ‘Dirty Deal’,
Montoya, along with his road-tested, red-hot touring band is joined by
friends, Little Feat members Paul Barerre, Kenny Gradney,
Richie Hayward and Bill Payne, add their unique talents to
the mix as well. The rockers as well as the ballads-burns from start to
finish.
Averaging over 150 tour dates a year, Montoya continues to pack clubs
and theatres around the world. “Montoya is at the forefront of the
contemporary blues world,” declared Guitar World. “He is
one of the truly gifted blues artists of his generation,” said
Living Blues. With ‘Dirty Deal’ and continued non-stop
touring, Coco Montoya continues to share his gift with his legion of
admirers all over the world.
Colne can’t wait… |