Monty Craig

940 River Road, Greer, SC 29651

monty@montycraig.com mcraig@clemson.edu 864- 349-6500

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Monty Craig Productions 2008 – 2009

Founded Monty Craig Productions in 2008 to handle all booking, promotion, and
distribution of personal music projects. Started the following websites: MontyCraig.com;
AlmadeCandela.com; TheProfessorsofSoul.com

Recording Artist Contract with Contraphonic Records 2007 – 2009

Sound Recording of Rocket Number Nine licensed with Contraphonic Record, Chicago Il.
Recording created at Soma Electronic Music Studios, Chicago, Il. Produced and engineered
by award winning producer/performer John McEntire(Tortoise, Stereolab, Wilco)
US and European release date: May 1 2008

Musical Director of The Professors of Soul 2006 – 2009

The Professors of Soul is currently ranked in the top 10 best variety bands in the country and
has a 5 star rating on gigmasters.com.

Jazz Guitar and Combo Lecturer, Clemson University 2006 – 2009

Currently teaches jazz guitar, jazz combos, jazz theory, and coordinates performing jazz
combos.

Music Director of Monday Night Jazz at The Handlebar, Greenville, SC 2003 - 2007

Director of the weekly jazz series that has featuring over 400 regional, national, and international
jazz artists and stars. Responsibilities include planning concert calendar, budget management,
conducting rehearsals, arranging music, and performing.

Founder and Director of Alma De Candela 2005 - 2009

Founder and Director of Greenville's first and premier Latin Orchestra, Alma De Candela,
featuring members from Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and US. Responsibilities include
conducting, arranging music, and performing as guitarist and vocalist.
 Monty Craig
940 River Road, Greer, SC 29651
monty@montycraig.com mcraig@clemson.edu 864- 349-6500

Jazz Combo and Music Theory Instructor Seneca High School Seneca SC 2004 – 2006

He has taught music theory, ear training, improvisation, and jazz interpretation classes for
beginner and intermediate jazz students. The Seneca Jazz Combo, after 2 years in existence, was
awarded a perfect score superior rating at SC All-State Jazz Festival Spring 2006.

Private Music Instructor 1996 - 2009

Well known as one of the best private music teachers in the Upstate. He has taught guitar, bass,
mandolin, banjo, ear training, music theory, jazz and rock combos, and piano to all ages.

Performer and Bandleader Upstate SC 1998 - 2009

Currently performs 260+ dates a year in private venues and public events throughout the Upstate,
including Main Street Jazz, Tunes on Trade, Reedy River Concert Series, Main Street Jazz,
Make-a-Wish Foundation Wine Festival, Fall for Greenville, and Furman Summer Lakeside
Concert Series. Current bands include Alma De Candela, FunkShua, Gypsy Souls, The
Professors, Nice Guys Trio, Monty Craig Trio, and Rocket Number 9.

US Army Bands, New York City, NY, and San Antonio, TX, 1992 – 1996
US National Guard Bands, Columbia, SC, and Fall River, MA, 1987 – 1992

Performed in marching bands, concert bands, big band jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, Dixieland
band, jazz and rock combos. Some performance highlights include Yankee Stadium, Macy’s Day
Parade, The Queen of Ireland at The Alamo, and Fenway Park.

EDUCATION

• Private lessons for Cuban and Latin American music, percussion, and history with José
Marquez
• Private Jazz Lessons with Bert Ligon University of South Carolina
• Private Jazz Lessons with Keith Davis Greenville SC
• Advanced Jazz Studies with guitarists Kurt Rosenwinkle and Ben Monder New York
City
• Guitar and Music Studies with Al Defino, John Damion, and Brett Wilmont at Berklee
College of Music, Boston, MA
• Guitar and Jazz Studies with Jim Mings; Classical Guitar Studies with Christopher Berg;
Arranging and Jazz Studies with Dick Goodwin and John Serry at University of South
Carolina, Columbia, SC
• Guitar and Music Studies with Charlie Wood and Tim Haden, Greenville, SC