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I am a writer and a singer. My original material covers a lot of stylistic ground. Some old time folkiness, some country-blues, some African music, some rock and roll, some hippie music , some Indian music, a lot of improvisation. I play acoustic and electric; I fingerpick, flatpick, use open tunings and play slide. I also play harmonica, banjo, mandolin, dobro, piano, lap steel and kazoo.

Paying attention to the present moment is important in both writing and playing songs. In writing a song I am trying to clearly perceive something—a character, a situation, a feeling—and find a fresh new way of expressing it through words and music. Every time I play a song it is a further exploration of it: emotionally, intellectually, musically, and purely sonically.

I play solo, singing and playing 6 and 12-string guitar and rack harmonica. I have performed throughout New England and have toured from Rhode Island to Florida. I've had the good fortune to open for and tour with blues great Paul Geremia.

There are many traditional folk songs and old blues in my repertoire. I enjoy helping keep that music alive and playing and listening to it informs my own songwriting. I also have a repertoire of folk music that I perform for children at schools and hospitals.

In addition to playing solo I am also involved with the following bands.

The Killdevils is a band that plays songs written by Jake Haller and myself as well as old blues, motown and assorted americana: Jake Haller on piano and vocals, Jeff Keithline on bass and vocals, Matt McLaren on drums and Chris Monti on electric guitar and vocals.

The Yams play fiddle-tunes and traditional songs: Katie Maginel-fiddle, Keith Heyward-banjo, Kate Katzberg-guitar, Bob Asprinio-mandolin, Chris Monti-guitar+harmonica.

The Double Decker Dance Band plays Afro-Pop and West African Folk Music. Joseph Paye of Liberia trained a group musicians from Providence, RI to play African music to back up Sierra Leone pop-star Steady Bongo for his August 2009 visit. The Double Decker Dance Band continues to play together. Joseph Paye-guitar, keyboard and vocals, Matt McLaren-drums, Scott Reber-bass, Jake Haller-keyboards and vocals, Chris Monti-electric guitar, Elvis-percussion. See the Providence Journal Article.

Chris Monti Electric/Acoustic Band - frequent collaborators: Steve Jobe-viola and vocals, Bob Asprinio-bass, mandolin and vocals, Jeff Keithline-bass and vocals, Matt McLaren -drums, Nick Pagano -bass, Rachel Panitch-fiddle and vocals, Pete Vendettuoli-mandolin, guitar, banjo and vocals, Andrew Hlynsky-drums, Rich LaGuardia-drums.

I am a member of The 'Mericans, a five piece rock and roll band playing original music, and I also occasionally have the pleasure of playing with The Providence Wholebellies, an 8 to 15-piece folk collective that plays ecstatic folk music.

Past musical ventures include association with such irreputable outfits as The Ballad of America Band, Third Story Congress, Low School, The Blue Toad Flax, PV=nRT, The Architecture Band, Franz Schubert and Pals, and Brown Sugar and the Promised Land.

My most recent album is Locust Grove. It was recorded live in the studio: Just me playing acoustic guitar and harp and singing. Eleven original songs. The first CD Swampland Flowers is a little more eclectic for instrumentation. There is some solo acoustic stuff but also some fiddle, some multi-tracked guitars, and some full band tracks.

I have some new solo material that is nearing release, The Yams made a recording during the summer of 2009 that is nearing release and The Killdevils are planning to make a record this fall, possibly with Duke Robillard producing.

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