Album Notes

Montana Skies creates a unique and refreshing new sound with the unusual paring of cello and fingerstyle guitar. Combining classic style with modern sensibility, the group draws on influences from ethnic and classical, to jazz and popular music. Like all true innovators, Montana Skies defies simple classification and continue to stretch the boundaries of contemporary instrumental music.

Jonathan and Jennifer Adams are the originators of Montana Skies. The couple met almost a decade ago while studying music at the University of Georgia in Athens. At first the two planned on collaborating on classical music but after a trip to the University Library to investigate repertoire, they discovered that music written for cello/guitar was as rare as the combination itself. Jonathan and Jennifer were not discouraged; they began writing their own arrangements to classics and composing music for themselves. Not having set repertoire has given these music artists a great freedom in their musical expression. Jonathan explains, "Throughout the years,we have developed many of our own arrangements ranging from world music and classical to original compositions. The fact that 'ready made' repertoire is not available for our combination of instruments really what pushes us to be more creative with our music.

In 2002, the duo released Montana Skies, a CD which juxtaposes recognizable melodies with the pair's own innovative and memorable compositions. Audience favorites from this CD are the catchy title track, the Duo's fun and foot-tapping version of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby", and the languid and peaceful "The Edge of Night".

Jonathan and Jennifer officially adopted their name Montana Skies in 2003, after the release of their CD "Montana Skies". "Our latest CD is entitled 'Montana Skies'", says Jennifer Adams, "because our first song together was titled Montana Skies, this eventually came to be the title of our first album. During this very creative and inspiring process of writing and composing music for the recording, we found the title we chose for the CD not only captured the music, but also our newly found 'sound'.

For more info. please visit the Montana Skies website at: www.montanaskiesmusic.com