From grooving on the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show to becoming a driving force behind Sheffield’s ‘jazz renaissance’, Exposed chatted to Montuno’s Kent Roach about their upcoming birthday celebrations and revisited some of the highlights from the past 20 years.
On Monday 31 August from 5–7pm, Leopold Square and Cubana will be bursting with the funky rhythms of Montuno as the band celebrates its 20th anniversary with a free gig.
Kent Roach, bandleader, saxophonist and percussionist, says this will only be the first of many celebrations to follow, emphasising that they want to go big to mark the occasion.
The band debuted on the Craig Charles Funk and Soul BBC Radio Show 20 years ago, marking the beginning of a longstanding relationship with Charles and the BBC.
Kent remembers Craig Charles fondly as someone who was also a friend of his father’s: “He was so encouraging – I’m sure it helped us get gigs around the country at all sorts of specialist funk and soul clubs.”
After playing the radio show twice, Montuno were invited back 16 years later to perform at the Craig Charles Show Live at The Foundry.
“Playing to his packed audience was an incredible experience for us.”
These days, Montuno sell out venues across Sheffield and South Yorkshire in their own right, as well as holding a regular spot at Tramlines since 2009.
Having played at Cubana, The Forum and CAWA during Tramlines this year, Kent added that the festival is “always a magical weekend” for the band.
Montuno have also been heavily involved with venues such as The Greystones, Alder Bar and, especially, Cubana over the years, including performing as part of the ‘Cubana Allstars’ 25th anniversary show.
Kent said: “Montuno have loved supporting Cubana, from when it was a niche restaurant on Trippet Lane to when it moved to Leopold Square.
“We play regular gigs there and we love the vibrant and diverse vibe – always loads of funky and Latin dancing!”
One of their favourite events to play there is The Big Swing, a free live jazz night held every Thursday, where swing dancers from across Sheffield and South Yorkshire come to let loose.
Among Kent’s proudest achievements with Montuno was the opportunity to play at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in Sheffield in 2024.
The band live by the ethos that ‘their diversity is their strength’ and were honoured to play at multiple events during the MOBOs, describing it as “a very emotional day” to witness the final performances on the day of the televised awards.
With a real passion for supporting local Sheffield collectives, Montuno also actively champion Footprints Jazz Club, which they describe as “central to the renaissance of jazz in the city”, and Funky Drummer, with whom they played Boomtown Festival this summer.
Kent said: “We happily call ourselves the Funky Drummer House Band!
“I just love the euphoric, diverse and inclusive atmosphere that the Funky Drummer experience creates.”
Being so central to Sheffield’s jazz and funk scene, it makes sense that Montuno were also among those behind the first-ever Kelham Jazz Festival, which was held last year across nine venues in Kelham Island and Neepsend and is now set to become an annual event.
Not only did Montuno play the main stage at Yellow Arch Studios in the evening, but Kent also hosted an Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz Percussion Workshop during the day at The Alder.
His excitement about the new festival was clear: “This is a game changer for Sheffield. A world-class festival across multiple venues featuring mostly Northern artists and many young bands!”
Now, Montuno continue to build on their wide repertoire while supporting the grassroots music scene in the city.
Having recently started a monthly jazz club at CAWA in Broomhall, Kent is still as enthused by the band and their music as he was 20 years ago: “We always play with stunning special guests, and this is no genteel recital – we get everyone up and dancing.
“And I mean everyone!”
Montuno’s 20th anniversary celebrations kick off with a free birthday gig at Leopold Square on Monday 31 August, from 5–7pm.
