Ryan Michael Montbleau (born June 18, 1977, Peabody, Massachusetts, United States) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He annually tours across the U.S. with the Ryan Montbleau Band.
Background edit:
Although he received his first guitar at age nine, it was not until attending college at Villanova University that he seriously began to focus on his playing and songwriting. After college, Montbleau began playing on his own at the House of Blues in Boston, where he started working in 1999. Eventually, Montbleau began performing his original music on-stage at the House of Blues and other Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston area coffee shops, folk and music venues, developing a local fan base. He occasionally performed his music with a percussion player, under the duo name "Palabra", before building what would become the Ryan Montbleau Band.
Montbleau eventually joined up with Matt Giannaros (acoustic upright bass, electric bass, backing vocals) Laurence Scudder (viola, backing vocals), Jason Cohen (piano, organ, clavinet, Moog synthesizer) and James Cohen (drums). In 2006, the group released its first collective album, One Fine Color. A sixth member, Yahuba Garcia Torres (percussion, backing vocals) toured frequently with the band. In February, 2011, the band announced the departure of viola player, Laurence Scudder, and also the addition of guitarist Lyle Brewer. The Ryan Montbleau Band plays upwards of 200 gigs per year.
Montbleau has opened solo/acoustic for John P. Hammond, Melissa Ferrick, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, and Rodrigo y Gabriela. His band has also become a regular act included in the line-up at the Gathering of the Vibes music festival in Connecticut. In the spring of 2010, the Ryan Montbleau Band toured with Martin Sexton, as his backing band and opening band. Before departing for that tour, Sexton produced the band's latest album, Heavy On the Vine, recorded at Camp Street Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Awards edit:
Montbleau was named the Best Local Male Vocalist in the 2007 Boston Music Awards. He also won second prize for performance in the 2007 International Songwriting Competition. Montbleau was nominated for a 2012 MTV Music Award for best concert experience.
Equipment edit:
Montbleau plays a Collings acoustic guitar model OM2H Cut, and a G&L ASAT Classic electric guitar.
Ryan Montbleau sings "45 Degrees" on 4/23/09 Over the years the Ryan Montbleau Band has shared a number of bills with Assembly of Dust. The two groups...
Many fans were surprised to hear that Ryan Montbleau sat in with Galactic aboard Jam Cruise few days ago for a take on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave ...
Ryan Montbleau has announced the release of his new album, For Higher, which drops May 15. Departing from his traditional singer/songwriter mold, Mont...
Oteil Burbridge) reunited for the first time in a number of years. The group performed three sets throughout the weekend, in addition to sets from Rya...
for Galactic at Denver's Ogden Theatre over the weekend. DJ Logic spun between sets and emerged during ALO's set for an extended version of "Room for ...
Sam Moore, Toubab Krewe and many others. The shows begin each night at 5:30pm and conclude at 7:30pm. A variety of wines will also be available. Here'...
