MARCO MONTOYA
Marco is an established pianist/keyboardist/producer who has performed Latin music for over 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to performing with most of the Latin/Salsa groups in the Bay Area, he has shared the stage with many Latin artist greats such as, Oscar DeLeon, Pete Escovedo, Fruko y Sus Tesos, El Gan Combo, Richard Bean (Malo), Giovani Hidalgo, etc.
In addition to Latin music, while growing up Marco’s musical influences were R&B, Freestyle, Dance, Hip Hop, Old School, Oldies, Pop & Rock. As a teenager Marco was introduced to contemporary Jazz after receiving a George Howard CD for his 16th birthday. The sounds of the sax fused together with a smooth R&B blend caught Marco’s attention so much that he embarked upon a contemporary jazz journey.
In 2016, Marco released his first contemporary album "Been A Long Time Comin'" with longtime friend and guitarist Stan Evans. The project known as “The Smooth Jazz Alley (TSJA) was considered for the 59th Grammy Awards. The album had multiple charting on Billboard's Most Added along with other top contemporary jazz charts.
In 2018, Stan Evans left the duo, so Marco quickly contacted jazz guitarist Joel Del Rosario who stepped in and recorded a few tracks due to Stan’s departure. Joel Del Rosario introduced Marco to drummer/producer Kevin G. Lewis who officially joined TSJA. This newly formed production duo would go on to finish the 2nd album entitled “Let’s Ride”. “Let’s Ride” was considered for the 63rd Grammy Awards, and charted on multiple top contemporary jazz charts.
In 2020, Marco and Kevin begin their next duo project in addition to producing a single entitled “No Shade” for Grand Rapids MI saxophonist Isaac Norris. “No Shade” did well at radio while charting across multiple top Smooth Jazz charts.
In 2021, saxophonist Otoe Mori joined what is now considered the “TSJA Family”. Marco created/produced the track “Deep Into You”, becoming Otoe’s first radio debut. Kevin enlisted the writing talents of saxophonist Greg Chambers to write to the track. He also enlisted featured guest guitarist Blake Aaron who appears courtesy of Innervisions Records. Together, Otoe & Blake deliver a soulful beautiful landscape with a bottomless groove. TSJA is currently working on two EP’s, the first of which will be released late 2022.
Marco continues to occasionally perform with his salsa group Orquesta Borinquen and other Latin groups as time permits, although his primary focus is with TSJA “The Smooth Jazz Alley”.