Justin Monsen

Music:

Member Since: 5/6/2007
Band Website: rokumusic.com
Band Members: ROKU
Andy Allen - Soprano/Alto Saxophones,
Justin Monsen - Guitar
Andy Mallon - Vibraphone/Fender Rhodes
Russ Flynn - Electric Bass
Ari Diaconis - Percussion
Dan Ryan - Drum Set

Justin Monsen Quintet
Andy Allen - Soprano/Alto Saxophones
Justin Monsen - Guitar
Peter Krag - Fender/Rhodes
Russ Flynn - Upright Bass
Dan Ryan - Drum Set
Influences: Kurt Rosenwinkel, St. Germaine, Seamus Blake, Lage Lund, Phish, John Scofield, Soulive, Daft Punk, Brad Mehldau, Ben Monder, Peter Bernstein, Beethoven, Air, Radiohead, Debussy, Schoenberg, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Igor Stravinsky, Erik Satie and many others
Sounds Like: Various Quotes regarding my debut CD:

“Justin Monsen’s music has depth and character rarely heard from someone of his generation. His contemporary style is reminiscent of the global jazz scene sweeping the continent. Formally trained in America, his music and compositions reflect the ‘free’ aspects of the genre, and his cathartic improvisations will be warmly received by European and American audiences alike.”

Chris DeSantis Author, “Clocks of New York: An Illustrated History”

"...Listening to the Justin Monsen Quintet, it is clear that whatever elements go together to form his unique sound, he has mastered the art of not just making us listen, but making us love what we hear”

Barry Alexander, Barry Alexander & Associates

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When a person asks me what kind of music I'm into, I reply with, Jazz and Classical mostly. That may give the impression that I don't listen to many different kinds of music but that's not true at all. There are so many sub-genres of those two veins. At the moment in-terms of jazz, I am on a modern/contemporary kick. I listen to cats such as Seamus Blake, Marcus Strickland, Lage Lund, Mike Moreno, Ben Allison, Kneebody, Brad Mehldau, Ari Hoening, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. I enjoy the more free aspects of this genre as well, listening to Tim Berne, Jim Black, and Dave Binney.

When listening to classical music, I find the same level of satisfaction and inspiration as jazz music. I am greatly inspired by the modern/contemporary composers such as Schoenberg, Stravinsky, and Berg. Recently the works of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and John Cage have given me great inspiration. Even the beautiful sonatas of Chopin, and Listz uplifts my mind to a different place.

All that is said and done, I listen to Daft Punk and sing along to Donovan, and James Taylor. I think I can find influences in anything that I listen to, and there are only a few exceptions to that rule.
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None