ESME MONTGOMERY

Singer, songwriter, and performer Esme Montgomery is an experienced musician who fronts the original rock band, ESME. She has performed with members of WEEN, The Jazz Mandolin Project and Zappa tribute band Project/Object, as well as members of the up-and-coming original rock band The Insidious Rays. As an independent artist, she is signed to indie label Infidel Records. As a vocal teacher, Esme has the perspective of a rock singer who uses technique to her advantage.

Esme grew up in a musical home, noting that, "When my parents brought me home from the hospital, my father put headphones on me and played Beethoven's Seventh Symphony." She began studying piano at the age of ten and attended NYC’s LaGuardia High School as a music major, where she studied theory, sight singing, music history, and the French Horn. Esme studied under Jonathan Strasser at LaGuardia, conductor of the LaGuardia Orchestra and teacher of advanced music history. She also studied piano with Alicia Jonas in Manhattan. During high school she performed regularly as a soloist and with ensembles.

After high school, Esme started writing and performing her own music, studying education, and working as an assistant teacher. She then "took it to the streets" to continue to learn from her fellow musicians and performers. She has won the ears of many fans across the Northeast US.

Montgomery began studying with Cari Cole while working on a studio recording. “Technique training is essential for strengthening your natural instrument. Any singer will benefit from learning technique, whether they’re a beginner who wants to learn how to use theirvoice, or an experienced singer who wants to improve endurance and protect the voice from damage,” says Montgomery.

Esme has many affiliations in the music industry. She has worked closely with Rob Grenoble, head of Infidel Records, who is also the owner and founder of Water Music Studios in Hoboken, NJ where many successful albums have been recorded including Dave Matthews Band, Taking Back Sunday, The Allman Brothers Band, Social Distortion, Ween, Lamb Of God, Pharoah Sanders, Jimmy Eat World, Joey Ramone, Lenny White, Ryan Adams, and Ben Folds Five. Her attorney, George Stein, Esq., worked as the attorney and manager for the late Jeff Buckley. Esme has also worked with the producer Mr. Wizard, who works with Cherry Lane Publishing, and produced tracks on Wyclef Jean’s latest release. Mr. Wizard calls Esme, “One of the best songwriters I have worked with.” Esme is currently working with Howard Bloom who has helped to guide the careers of Michael Jackson, Prince, Bob Marley, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, Billy Idol, Queen, Kiss, Aerosmith, and AC/DC.