Her father, Gary Montgomery, was known for his songwriting, B3 organ and
harmonica playing. His band, The Colours, with partner Jack Dalton is now
considered a psychedelic rock cult classic. He was signed to both Motown
Records and Dot/Paramount and worked with notable musicians such as T-Bone
Burnett, Kim Carnes, Leon Russell, and had cuts with David Cassidy and The
Turtles.Her mother, Kay Montgomery, is an opera singer and renowned vocal coach
in the US and Europe with a career that spanned from regional opera to coaching
at the Munich Opera House. She also starred in Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg,
Germany in the operatic role of Carlotta. She is currently a faculty member at
the esteemed Colburn School of Music, where she trains Los Angeles’ finest
young classical voices.As for Anna, she began her musical training at the age
of 4 and began performing on stage with her parents’ bands by 6. Always
involved in live acts growing up, she trained informally with both of her
parents in songwriting, piano playing and singing. She was formally trained at
Western Michigan University in the country’s leading vocal jazz program and at
Goshen College, where her mother was part of the music department.Her formal
singing career began Chicago when she was discovered by Pete Cosey, guitar
player for Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis, who produced her first demo. In the
mid 1990′s, Anna moved to Los Angeles and began intensive
training with Platinum songwriter, Harriet Schock, and formed her own rhythm
and blues band with doo-wop legend, Buzz Clifford. The collaboration of
Montgomery and Clifford resulted in the release of her debut album, Lyin’ in
the Face of Love, which garnered critical acclaim and attracted the attention
of Grammy Winner, Shelby Lynne. After seeing Anna perform at a West Hollywood
club, Lynne invited Anna to join her band and go on the road in support of
Lynne’s album, Identity Crisis. She became back-up singer and opening act for
Lynne’s national tour. Lynne began producing demos of Anna’s original work in
her home studio. Anna was presented with a Los Angeles Music Award for Best
Adult Contemporary Artist on stage at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on
the West Coast leg of the Shelby Lynne tour.Anna’s live television performances
include The Ellen Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno, and Soundstage presents Shelby Lynne- Live in Concert.Listen song here:YouTube
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