Born Vincent Montana, Jr. in South Philadelphia on February 12, 1928, Vince Montana was a jazz musician turned session musician who later gained renown as a member of Philadelphia International’s MFSB session group and also founder of the Salsoul Orchestra. His talents extended from playing percussion, orchestra bells and chimes, tympani, and marimba to arranging and conduction, and writing songs. Recognized early, his talents led to stints playing percussion and vibraphone in Las Vegas and, back in Philly, as part of the band on the Mike Douglas Show. He turned to studio work, where he was behind the Philly TV-made idols like Frankie Avalon and Fabian.
He then became a studio musician for the growing R&B scene in Philly. His early work in Philadelphia R&B energized the sessions for Jamie/Guyden affiliated labels and one of his first credits as Vince Montana and His Orchestra was the instrumental versions of The Sherrys’ Guyden record, “That Boy of Mine” b/w “Monk, Monk, Monkey” (Guyden 2093), a dance record that anticipated his disco-era renown creating disco dance music.
His work with MFSB was anticipated as one of the first-call session musicians who were Arctic regulars along with guitarist Bobby Eli, bassist Ronnie Baker, and drummer Earl Young. Arctic sessions included the Volcanos’ “(It’s Against) The Laws Of Love,” the Rotations’ “(Put A Dime On) D-9” and “(Put A Nickel On) D-9,” which later morphed into Barbara Mason’s “Bobby, Is My Baby.”
Vince Montana played on innumerable Jamie/Guyden other sessions, as well, among them, the Cliff Nobles hit instrumental "The Horse" in 1968.
More recently, Montana worked with Masters at Work and on the Pet Shop Boys’ “New York City Boy.”
