American Percussionist, Composer, Arranger, and Producer. Montana, who was of Italian decent, started playing the drums from the age of six and over time went on to master the drums, vibraharp, orchestra bells, chimes, marimba and the tympani. During the early 1950s, he worked in jazz clubs as a backup for such legends as Charlie "Bird" Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Buddy DeFranco, Stan Getz, Cliff Brown, and Red Garland and also did studio work on hits by Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Throughout the 1960s and early 70s, he recorded and arranged music for such artists as Eddie Holman, The Delfonics, The O'Jays, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, The Stylistics, Johnny Mathis, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Spinners, The Jackson 5, Patty La Belle and Lou Rawls before landing a spot on television as a band member with the Mike Douglas Show, however after about a year he went back to playing in and around Philadelphia and soon became an integral part of the "Philly Sound". He performed in TSOP and in 1974, formed the Salsoul Orchestra which was a blend of salsa and soul, and had his first hit with "The Salsoul Hustle" which would propel him and his 37-member orchestra to international fame. Montana worked on many of the most important dance songs of the late 70s during the disco and post-disco periods and continued to work into the 90s, on albums by such diverse acts as the Pet Shop Boys and The Braxtons. Montana, who earned over 25 gold and platinum album awards during his career, died of natural causes.
American Percussionist, Composer, Arranger, and Producer. Montana, who was of Italian decent, started playing the drums from the age of six and over time went on to master the drums, vibraharp, orchestra bells, chimes, marimba and the tympani. During the early 1950s, he worked in jazz clubs as a backup for such legends as Charlie "Bird" Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Buddy DeFranco, Stan Getz, Cliff Brown, and Red Garland and also did studio work on hits by Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Throughout the 1960s and early 70s, he recorded and arranged music for such artists as Eddie Holman, The Delfonics, The O'Jays, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, The Stylistics, Johnny Mathis, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Spinners, The Jackson 5, Patty La Belle and Lou Rawls before landing a spot on television as a band member with the Mike Douglas Show, however after about a year he went back to playing in and around Philadelphia and soon became an integral part of the "Philly Sound". He performed in TSOP and in 1974, formed the Salsoul Orchestra which was a blend of salsa and soul, and had his first hit with "The Salsoul Hustle" which would propel him and his 37-member orchestra to international fame. Montana worked on many of the most important dance songs of the late 70s during the disco and post-disco periods and continued to work into the 90s, on albums by such diverse acts as the Pet Shop Boys and The Braxtons. Montana, who earned over 25 gold and platinum album awards during his career, died of natural causes.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Advertisement
