Profile Jacob Montano

Whether they lounge in the living room or cook dinner in the kitchen, the clear thump of a bass permeates the Montano household. 

A low hum drifts from one of the bedrooms, starting off quiet while the youngest son practices his scales. As soon as inspiration strikes, the sound transforms. 

Beautiful melodies turn into mini concerts, and the Montanos embrace his creativity. 

During Jacob Montano’s adolescence, his family home was never silent; beats and basslines composed his childhood. 

“My family always encouraged me and supported me as I grew into the musician I am today,” Jacob Montano said. 

 Now, as a professional bass player and composer, Jacob Montano works to reimagine the world of jazz. He composes original content and is a member of two jazz groups, each with a vision to reinvent the genre. 

The first group, iies., fuses the jazz and rap genres as a quartet, composing original pieces inspired by artists like Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest and D’Angelo. 

“I think as far as the experimental jazz rap thing, it’s just like I realized that jazz is the mother, obviously, and through that you have hip hop and they’re both just revolutionary,” said Craig Northup, vocalist for iies..

Jacob’s second band, Ojo de Luna, performs Latin jazz at live events. The six-member group also composes original pieces that blend traditional jazz with modern influences. 

“I draw a lot of inspiration from stuff like 311, Flobots, Interactivo… just groups that try to reach further than the genre in front of them. For Interactivo, it’s jazz. For 311, it’s rock. It just allows for so many different ideas to be presented,” said Nick Schell, the percussionist for Ojo de Luna. 

Ojo de Luna delivers immersive experiences. The various percussion sounds along with the bass, violin and piano bring the sound together. The low and gritty beats of the drum mixed with the soft and high notes of the violin create sounds that get people on their feet. 

For Jacob, music always plays. Even in silence, he composes, practices and perfects his craft. Music drives his daily life.

“As I grew older, I realized I didn’t really have any other interests. I remember deciding that I wasn’t going to prepare a backup plan - that music was my plan A and would remain that way,” Montano said. 

In addition to working in collaborative settings and performing live, Jacob writes his own original compositions. His latest album, “Bass Face”, includes seven original tracks, each influenced by and titled after events in his life. 

“The newest song, ‘The Cockroach’s Agenda,’ was written in 2024, while the oldest song was written back in 2018, around tenth grade,” Montano said. 

The album uses effects pedals to create an ethereal sound during some titles, including one titled “Angel Numbers.” The track starts with a bass intro and sounds like a slow, dreamy waltz. 

“Growing up, my musical experience began with a passion for electronic music, but as I began to take my music studies more seriously, my passion for instrumental jazz took over my focus,” Montano said. “Jazz musicians like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans had a huge effect on me.” 

In addition to famous musicians, Montano pulls inspiration from his own experiences. 

“I think it’s possible to find inspiration anywhere. A beautiful view, an adventure, a tragedy, stress… the trick is that you have to go looking for it, instead of waiting for it to find you,” Montano said. 

Montano focuses on evolving genres as a professional bass player and composer. It’s a goal he wishes to share with others. 

“I hope that I can inspire people with my hard work and that I can encourage aspiring musicians to follow their passions without worrying about what other people think of them,” Montano said.