Antoinette Montague in the Fairfield Patch: "Fairfield Jazz Vocalist Says 'I Love You' Through Songs"

FAIRFIELD, CT, February 09, 2011 (Press-News.org) There's no better way to say "I love you" than through music. And, if couples don't have the vocal chops to croon sweet and sassy sounds to each other, let jazz vocalist Antoinette Montague deliver the romantic message for you.

The Fairfield resident - and vice president of human resources at Boardroom, Inc. - will perform a repertoire of original and classic jazz selections in special Valentine's Day weekend performances at The Kitano Jazz Lounge in Manhattan. Taking place in an elegant club and bistro, on the mezzanine level overlooking the lobby of The Kitano New York, one of Manhattan's premier luxury hotels, "Love Stories and Other Tales from the Deep Blue Sea" will be performed Friday and Saturday, with two shows each night at 8 and 10.

Performing with Montague will be world-class reedman Bill Easley, Jay Hoggard on vibes, Tommy James on piano, Hassan Shakur on bass, and Payton Crossley on drums. "Our Valentine's show will include some standards but with our own unique interpretation," Montague said. "We promise this will be a performance for anyone who loves music, single or together, is in love or might be falling in love. There will be something for everyone."

Immediately after her gigs in Manhattan, Montague will perform on Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., in CNJ Jazz presents The Antoinette Montague Group, a reprise of last season's critically acclaimed show, at the Sheraton Syracuse's Grand Ballroom. Montague will be accompanied by Easley on the sax, flute and clarinet and Hoggard on the vibraphone.

"I took from the lessons I learned at the Boardroom and you hire the best that you could afford," Montague said. "These guys are of the highest caliber."

Montague's performances at the two New York venues will undoubtedly include selections from her latest album "Behind the Smile" (Allegro Music/In The Groove.)

"Music is in my head all of the time," Montague said. "When I wrote 'Behind the Smile' the music and the lyrics came together at the same time." Inspired by a whirlwind of good and bad times swirling around her, Montague composed the song that is, she said, "a reflection of my life."

"We all smile to mask the anger, joy, and sometimes even the 'nasty' energy going on inside our hearts and heads. From my very happy loss of more than 80 pounds of fat to the very sorrowful loss of my beloved sister and a best friend and co-worker, and the bittersweet ending of my marriage, sometimes even my best stage smile could barely camouflage the emptiness that I was feeling," Montague said. " 'Behind the Smile' captures all of these emotions. But it's a song of passion, not sadness. We're going to put our audience in the mood for love this Valentine's weekend!"

Two decades ago, Montague was honing her skills by performing at some of Manhattan's renowned jazz clubs. During the day, she was committed to working for the publishing company, and by night, she was equally devoted to perfecting her craft by "sitting in" with various bands and musicians.

"I don't do this anymore, but at one time I was going from one club and another, singing in two places in one night," Montague recalled. "For example, I would sing at Lucy's in Harlem then go across town to the Cotton Club."

Montague has fond memories performing regularly with Della Griffin, whom she describes as "the first female Doo-Wop singer." She has also appeared at top-notch jazz clubs, such as The Blue Note, the Zebra Room in Harlem's famous Lenox Lounge, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.

A native of New Jersey, Montague moved to Connecticut when her company relocated its offices to Stamford. The youngest of seven children, Montague recalls listening to Nat King Cole, the Ink Spots, Paul Robeson and the sounds of Motown while growing up.

On her website, Montague describes how her "knees knocked so hard" when she first sang onstage in high school. The tune was the classic "When You Wish Upon A Star," and she sang it during a show saluting Walt Disney. "The kids could see my legs trembling," she penned.

However, it wasn't until she joined a Gospel choir at Seton Hall University and then worked with jazz artists Carrie Smith and Etta Jones that music seeped into her veins. A lifelong learner, Montague states, "I began to listen, learn, practice and figure it all out."

The Kitano New York is located at 66 Park Ave. at East 38th St. Reservations for "Love & Romance" are recommended because there is limited seating. For information, call 212-885-7119.

For information on the Feb. 13 show in Syracuse, call 315-479-JAZZ (5299).

More of Montague's upcoming performances include March 8, at 11 a.m., with the Solomon Hicks Group at the Mount Vernon Armory in Mount Vernon, N.Y. (For information, call 914-665-2434), and on March 27, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Antoinette Montague Quintet will be at the Community Theatre at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown, N.J. in a show sponsored by the New Jersey Jazz Society. For information on the New Jersey gig, call 973-539-8008 or visit www.mayoarts.org.

For bookings please contact Blues Straight Ahead at 203-820-8819.

Website: http://www.antoinettemontague.com