Editing Tete Montoliu

{{Short description|Spanish jazz pianist (1933–1997)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = Tete Montoliu
| image             = Tete Montoliu-Bobby Hutcherson.jpg
| image_size        = 
| caption           = Montoliu (left), with [[Bobby Hutcherson]] at [[Kuumbwa Jazz Center]], Santa Cruz, California, 14 May 1984
| landscape         = yes
| background        = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name        = Vicente Montolíu Massana
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1933|3|28|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Catalonia]], Spain
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|1997|8|24|1933|3|28|df=y}}
| death_place       = 
| genre             = [[Jazz]]
| occupation        = Musician
| instrument        = Piano
| years_active      = 
| label             = 
| associated_acts   = 
}}

'''Vicenç Montoliu i Massana''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tete-montoliu-mn0000024907|title=Tete Montoliu Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125103405/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tete-montoliu-mn0000024907|url-status=live}}</ref> better known as '''Tete Montoliu''' (28 March 1933<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|pages=1737/8}}</ref> – 24 August 1997)<ref name="Nyt">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/01/arts/tete-montoliu-64-spanish-jazz-pianist.html|title=Tete Montoliu, 64, Spanish Jazz Pianist|date=1 September 1997|access-date=29 September 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929225626/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/01/arts/tete-montoliu-64-spanish-jazz-pianist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> was a Spanish jazz pianist from [[Catalonia]], Spain. Born blind, he learnt [[braille music]] at age seven. His styles varied from hard bop, through Afro-Cuban, world fusion, to post bop. He recorded with [[Lionel Hampton]] in 1956 and played with saxophonist [[Roland Kirk]] in 1963. He also worked with leading American jazz musicians who toured in, or relocated to Europe including [[Kenny Dorham]], [[Dexter Gordon]], [[Ben Webster]], [[Lucky Thompson]], and [[Anthony Braxton]]. Tete Montoliu recorded two albums in the US, and recorded for [[Enja Records|Enja]], [[SteepleChase Records]], and [[Soul Note]] in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tete Montoliu Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tete-montoliu-mn0000024907/biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=6 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106104452/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tete-montoliu-mn0000024907/biography|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/338201-Tete-Montoliu|title=Tete Montoliu|website=Discogs.com|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725202450/https://www.discogs.com/artist/338201-Tete-Montoliu|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Biography==
Montoliu was born blind, in the [[Eixample]] district of [[Barcelona]], Spain,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> and died in the same city. He was the only son of Vicenç Montoliu (a professional musician) and Àngela Massana, a jazz enthusiast, who encouraged her son to study piano. Montoliu's earliest piano teaching took place under the tutelage of Enric Mas at the private school for blind children he attended from 1939 to 1944. In 1944, Montoliu's mother arranged for Petri Palou to provide him with formal piano lessons.

From 1946 to 1953, Montoliu studied music at the [[Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu]] in Barcelona, where he also met jazz musicians and became familiar with the idiom in [[jam session]]s. During the early stages of his career, Montoliu was particularly influenced by the music of U.S. jazz pianist [[Art Tatum]], although he soon developed his own style. (Coincidentally, Tatum was also impaired with extremely limited vision). Montoliu began playing professionally at pubs in Barcelona, where he was noticed by [[Lionel Hampton]] on 13 March 1956. Montoliu toured with Hampton through Spain and France and recorded ''Jazz Flamenco''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/lionel-hampton-albums/1686-jazz-flamenco.html|title=Lionel Hampton - Jazz Flamenco|website=Freshsoundrecords.com|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825190511/https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/lionel-hampton-albums/1686-jazz-flamenco.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1967, Montoliu performed in New York City with bassist [[Richard Davis (double bassist)|Richard Davis]] and drummer [[Elvin Jones]]. Two concerts at the [[Village Gate]] in April were recorded for the [[Impulse! Records|Impulse!]] label, but an album was never released. He frequently appeared in Madrid during the 1960s at the Whiskey Jazz Club with musicians [[Pedro Iturralde]] and singer [[Donna Hightower]]. During the 1970s, Montoliu travelled extensively throughout Europe. During the 1980s, he performed in concerts with musicians such as [[Dexter Gordon]],<ref name="LarkinGE"/> [[Johnny Griffin]], [[George Coleman]], [[Joe Henderson]], [[Dizzy Gillespie]], [[Chick Corea]], [[Hank Jones]], [[Roy Hargrove]], [[Idris Muhammad]], [[Herbie Lewis (musician)|Herbie Lewis]] and [[Jesse Davis (saxophonist)|Jesse Davis]], among others.

In 1996, shortly before his death a year later, Spain paid public tribute to Montoliu for his 50-year career in jazz.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1996/03/11/cultura/826498804_850215.html|title=Cincuenta años de un genio cercano|first=Federico|last=González|date=10 March 1996|access-date=29 September 2021|newspaper=El País|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929230035/https://elpais.com/diario/1996/03/11/cultura/826498804_850215.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

He died in August 1997 from [[lung cancer]], at the age of 64.<ref name="Nyt"/>

==Discography==
*1965: ''[[A Tot Jazz]]'' (Concentric)
*1965: ''[[A Tot Jazz/2]]'' (Concentric)
*1966: ''[[Tete Montoliu Presenta Elia Fleta]]'' (Concentric) with Elia Fleta
*1968: ''[[Piano for Nuria]]'' ([[MPS Records|SABA]])   
*1969: ''Tete Montoliu Interpreta a Serrat'' (Discophon)
*1970: ''Lliure Jazz'' (Discophon)    
*1971: ''[[Body & Soul (Tete Montoliu album)|Body & Soul]]'' ([[Enja Records|Enja]])
*1971: ''[[That's All (Tete Montoliu album)|That's All]]'' ([[SteepleChase Records|SteepleChase]]) released 1985
*1971: ''[[Lush Life (Tete Montoliu album)|Lush Life]]'' (SteepleChase) released 1986
*1971: ''[[Songs for Love]]'' (Enja) released 1974
*1971: ''Recordando a Line'' (Discophon)
*1973: ''Temas Hispanoamericanos'' (Ensayo)
*1973: ''Temas Brasilenos'' (Ensayo)
*1974: ''[[Catalonian Fire]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1974: ''[[Music for Perla]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1974: ''[[Tete!]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1974: ''Vampyria'' (BASF) with [[Jordi Sabatés]]
*1976: ''[[Tête à Tete (Tete Montoliu album)|Tête à Tete]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1976: ''[[Tootie's Tempo]]'' (SteepleChase, released 1979)
*1976: ''[[Words of Love (Tete Montoliu album)|Words of Love]]'' (SteepleChase, [1978])
*1977: ''[[Blues for Myself (Tete Montoliu album)|Blues for Myself]]'' (Ensayo)
*1977: ''[[Meditation (George Coleman and Tete Montoliu album)|Meditation]]'' ([[Timeless Records|Timeless]]) with [[George Coleman]]
*1977: ''[[Yellow Dolphin Street]]'' (Timeless)
*1977: ''[[Secret Love (Tete Montoliu album)|Secret Love]]'' (Timeless)
*1977: ''[[Boleros (Tete Montoliu album)|Boleros]]'' (Ensayo)
*1978: ''[[Catalonian Folksongs]]'' (Timeless)
*1979: ''Al Palau'' (Zeleste-Edigsa) 
*1979: ''[[Live at the Keystone Corner]]'' (Timeless, released 1981)
*1979: ''[[Lunch in L.A.]]'' ([[Contemporary Records|Contemporary]])
*1980: ''[[Boston Concert]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1980: ''[[I Wanna Talk About You]]'' (SteepleChase)
*1980: ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 1]]'' (SteepleChase, released 1981) 
*1980: ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 2]]'' (SteepleChase, released 1985) 
*1980: ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 3]]'' (SteepleChase, released 1998) 
*1982: ''[[Face to Face (Tete Montoliu and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen album)|Face to Face]]'' (SteepleChase, [1984]) with [[Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen]]
*1984: ''[[Carmina (album)|Carmina]]'' (Jazzizz) 
*1986: ''[[The Music I Like to Play Vol. 1]]'' ([[Soul Note Records|Soul Note]])
*1986: ''[[The Music I Like to Play Vol. 2]]'' (Soul Note, released 1989)
*1988: ''Orquestra Taller de Músics de Barcelona amb Tete Montoliu'' (Justine)
*1989: ''New Year's Morning '89'' (Fresh Sound) with [[Peter King (saxophonist)|Peter King]]    
*1989: ''Sweet 'n Lovely 1'' (Fresh Sound, released 1991) with [[Mundell Lowe]]
*1989: ''Sweet 'n Lovely 2'' (Fresh Sound, released 1991) with Mundell Lowe
*1990: ''[[The Music I Like to Play Vol. 3]]'' (Soul Note)
*1990: ''[[The Music I Like to Play Vol. 4]]'' (Soul Note, released 1992)
*1990: ''[[The Man from Barcelona]]'' (Timeless)
*1991: ''[[A Spanish Treasure]]'' ([[Concord Jazz]])
*1992: ''[[Catalonian Rhapsody]]'' ([[Alfa Records|Alfa]])
*1992: ''Music for Anna'' (Mas i Mas)
*1995: ''Per Sempre, Tete'' (DiscMedi)
*1995: ''Tete en la Trompetilla: En Vivo'' (SRP Discos)
*1995: ''Tete Montoliu en El San Juan'' (Nuevos Medios)
*1996: ''Montoliu Plays Tete'' (DiscMedi)
*1996: ''T'Estimo Tant'' (DiscMedi)
*1997: ''Palau de la Musica Catalana'' (DiscMedi)
*1997: ''Momentos Inolvidables de una Vida'' (Fresh Sound)
*2005: ''Jazz en Espana'' (Rtve)

===As sideman===
'''With [[Anthony Braxton]]'''
*''[[In the Tradition (Anthony Braxton album)|In the Tradition]]'' (SteepleChase, 1974)
*''[[In the Tradition Volume 2]]'' (SteepleChase, 1974 [1977])
'''With [[Núria Feliu]]'''
*''Núria Feliu with Booker Ervin'' (Edigsa, 1965) with [[Booker Ervin]]
'''With [[Dexter Gordon]]'''
*''[[Cheese Cake (album)|Cheese Cake]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1979]) 
*''[[King Neptune (album)|King Neptune]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1979]) 
*''[[I Want More (album)|I Want More]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1980])
*''[[Love for Sale (Dexter Gordon album)|Love for Sale]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1981])
*''[[It's You or No One (Dexter Gordon album)|It's You or No One]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1983])
*''[[Billie's Bounce (album)|Billie's Bounce]]'' (SteepleChase, 1964 [1983])   
*''[[Bouncin' with Dex]]'' (SteepleChase, 1976)
'''With [[Eddie Harris]]'''
*''[[Steps Up]]'' (SteepleChase, 1981)
'''With [[Rahsaan Roland Kirk]]'''
*''[[Kirk in Copenhagen]]'' ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]], 1963)
*''[[Dog Years in the Fourth Ring]]'' ([[32 Jazz]], 1997) – appears on one track only
'''With [[Charlie Mariano]]'''
*''It's Standard Time Volume 1'' (Fresh Sound)
*''It's Standard Time Volume 2'' (Fresh Sound)
'''With [[Jordi Sabatés]]'''
*''Tot l'Enyor de Dema'' (Edigsa, 1976)
'''With [[Archie Shepp]] and [[Lars Gullin]]'''
*''[[The House I Live In (album)|The House I Live In]]'' (SteepleChase, 1963 [1980])
'''With [[Buddy Tate]]'''
*''Tate a Tete'' ([[Storyville Records|Storyville]], 1975)
;With [[Lucky Thompson]]
*''[[Soul's Nite Out]]'' (Ensayo, 1969)
'''With [[Ben Webster]]'''
*''Ben Webster Meets Don Byas'' (MPS, 1968) with [[Don Byas]]
*''Live at The Haarlemse Jazz Clib'' (Timeless, 1972)
*''Ben Webster in Hot House'' (Hot House, 1972 [1979])
*''Gentle Ben'' (Ensayo, 1972)
'''With [[Barney Wilen]]'''
*''[[Barney Wilen]] Quartet'' - Live in [[Grenoble]] 1988
'''With [[Jerome Richardson]]'''
*''Groovin' High In Barcelona''  (Fresh Sound, 1988)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.jazzdiscography.com/Artists/Montoliu Tete Montoliu Discography at ''www.JazzDiscography.com'']

{{Tete Montoliu}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montoliu, Tete}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:Bebop pianists]]
[[Category:Post-bop pianists]]
[[Category:Hard bop pianists]]
[[Category:Latin jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Jazz pianists from Catalonia]]
[[Category:Spanish jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Blind musicians]]
[[Category:Blind jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Spanish blind people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Catalonia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Barcelona]]
[[Category:Timeless Records artists]]
[[Category:SteepleChase Records artists]]
[[Category:Black Saint/Soul Note artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Spanish pianists]]
[[Category:Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu alumni]]