Montis, Goudsmit & Directie - Root Up (2023)

Montis, Goudsmit & Directie are the new darlings of the Dutch soul and jazz scene. Astonishing audiences with their dazzling live shows, the drum, guitar and hammond trio have toured extensively since their formation in (2015). Whether at the North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam), Paradiso and Bimhuis (Amsterdam) or festivals such as Manana Manana and Zwarte Cross (2022), crowds have been energized by the infectious grooves and remarkable energy of the group.

The trio's individual talents are impressive enough; however, in this case, the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. The combination creates an explosive sound with an added element of versatility not often encountered in the jazz world. Montis, Goudsmit & Directie exhibit traces of funk, rock, sensitive balladry and a witty approach to a genre usually lacking in humor.

Drummer Cyril Directie is the engine of the band and his charismatic persona comes across loud and clear in performances and recordings. He has worked with many of the jazz greats of the Netherlands. He has played extensively with Candy Dulfer,, Hans Dulfer, New Cool Collective, Benjamin Herman and numerous others.

Frank Montis turns the Hammond organ into the perfect instrument to enhance the soul, jazz and rock sound of M G & D. Equally adept at slow grooves and frenetic solos, Montis lives up to his reputation as one of the grand masters of the hammond in Europe. He always seems to find the right balance between improvisation and subtle reference to fellow Hammond artists like Jimmy Scott and Jack McDuff.

The icing on the cake is guitarist Anton Goudsmit. Hailed as vibrant, idiosyncratic, and unique, Goudsmit delivers another huge dose of energy to the trio. He dives into the groove with an intensity and abandon that sweeps audiences off their feet - or sweeps them onto their feet. Every note Anton plays sounds like it could be the last. Anton Goudsmit can be found anywhere good music can be found - adept at Gypsy music, rock'n'roll, funk and world music, he has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Montis, Goudsmit & Directie have truly developed their own unique sound that is captured in all its enormous power on their initial full length album "Taste of Culture" . Upcoming in early 2023 will be their second full length album - tentatively titled "Root Up".