Monty Craig Resume

Monty Craig 940 River Road, Greer, SC 29651 [email protected] [email protected] 864- 349-6500

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Monty Craig Productions 2008 – 2009 Founded Monty Craig Productions in 2008 to handle all booking, promotion, and distribution of personal music projects. Started the following websites: MontyCraig.com; AlmadeCandela.com; TheProfessorsofSoul.com Recording Artist Contract with Contraphonic Records 2007 – 2009 Sound Recording of Rocket Number Nine licensed with Contraphonic Record, Chicago Il. Recording created at Soma Electronic Music Studios, Chicago, Il. Produced and engineered by award winning producer/performer John McEntire(Tortoise, Stereolab, Wilco) US and European release date: May 1 2008 Musical Director of The Professors of Soul 2006 – 2009 The Professors of Soul is currently ranked in the top 10 best variety bands in the country and has a 5 star rating on gigmasters.com. Jazz Guitar and Combo Lecturer, Clemson University 2006 – 2009 Currently teaches jazz guitar, jazz combos, jazz theory, and coordinates performing jazz combos. Music Director of Monday Night Jazz at The Handlebar, Greenville, SC 2003 - 2007 Director of the weekly jazz series that has featuring over 400 regional, national, and international jazz artists and stars. Responsibilities include planning concert calendar, budget management, conducting rehearsals, arranging music, and performing. Founder and Director of Alma De Candela 2005 - 2009 Founder and Director of Greenville's first and premier Latin Orchestra, Alma De Candela, featuring members from Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and US. Responsibilities include conducting, arranging music, and performing as guitarist and vocalist.

Monty Craig 940 River Road, Greer, SC 29651 [email protected] [email protected] 864- 349-6500

Jazz Combo and Music Theory Instructor Seneca High School Seneca SC 2004 – 2006 He has taught music theory, ear training, improvisation, and jazz interpretation classes for beginner and intermediate jazz students. The Seneca Jazz Combo, after 2 years in existence, was awarded a perfect score superior rating at SC All-State Jazz Festival Spring 2006. Private Music Instructor 1996 - 2009 Well known as one of the best private music teachers in the Upstate. He has taught guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ear training, music theory, jazz and rock combos, and piano to all ages. Performer and Bandleader Upstate SC 1998 - 2009 Currently performs 260+ dates a year in private venues and public events throughout the Upstate, including Main Street Jazz, Tunes on Trade, Reedy River Concert Series, Main Street Jazz, Make-a-Wish Foundation Wine Festival, Fall for Greenville, and Furman Summer Lakeside Concert Series. Current bands include Alma De Candela, FunkShua, Gypsy Souls, The Professors, Nice Guys Trio, Monty Craig Trio, and Rocket Number 9.

US Army Bands, New York City, NY, and San Antonio, TX, 1992 – 1996 US National Guard Bands, Columbia, SC, and Fall River, MA, 1987 – 1992 Performed in marching bands, concert bands, big band jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, Dixieland band, jazz and rock combos. Some performance highlights include Yankee Stadium, Macy’s Day Parade, The Queen of Ireland at The Alamo, and Fenway Park. EDUCATION

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Private lessons for Cuban and Latin American music, percussion, and history with José Marquez Private Jazz Lessons with Bert Ligon University of South Carolina Private Jazz Lessons with Keith Davis Greenville SC Advanced Jazz Studies with guitarists Kurt Rosenwinkle and Ben Monder New York City Guitar and Music Studies with Al Defino, John Damion, and Brett Wilmont at Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA Guitar and Jazz Studies with Jim Mings; Classical Guitar Studies with Christopher Berg; Arranging and Jazz Studies with Dick Goodwin and John Serry at University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC Guitar and Music Studies with Charlie Wood and Tim Haden, Greenville, SC