Montz Matsumoto was born in Japan and started to learn bluegrass banjo at the age of 15. In 1987 he joined to legendary Japanese Folk group ‘The Natarshar Seven’ in Kyoto and went on to collaborate with numerous musicians and artists including Butoh dancers and Japanese traditional musicians. He is greatly inspired by North American music traditions and passionate about creating his music on banjo which reflects his Asian background.

Montz travelled around North America in 1989 and later explored China, Pakistan, India, the UK, France and Ireland. He studied Carnatic (South Indian Classical music) rhythm theory from Govinda Rajan and singing from Raja Lakshmi Narayanan in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Montz then toured Okinawa, Japan with legendary Bluegrass singer-songwriter Peter Rowan.

Since moving to Australia in 2002, Montz has toured all over Australia as a solo or with his band ‘Voicestrings’ and also as a member of ‘The Pigs’, and performed at many music festivals, including Woodford Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Kapanda Celtic Festival, Molden Folk Festival, Fleurieu Folk Festival, Gympie Muster, Deniliquin Ute Muster, Blue Mountain Music Festival, Queens Cliff Music Festival, Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, Mountaingrass Bluegrass Festival, Dorriogo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Wirrina Bluegrass Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Nanango Traditional Country Music Muster, and Yackandandah Folk Festival.

Montz has won multiple Bluegrass and banjo prizes at Tamworth and other festivals. His second album ‘ Banjo Moon’ was nominated for the Album of the Year 2007 by South Australia Folk Federation. He made the album ‘Going Home’ with Pete Denahy and 2 other Japanese musicians, which was nominated for a ‘Bluegrass Album of the Year 2018’ at the Golden Guitar Award at Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Montz has performed regularly at Pete Denahy’s Comedy and Bluegrass Breakfast Show at Tamworth Country Music Festival for 10 years and still performing with ‘The Pigs’ which has its 20th anniversary this year. In Tasmania, he takes any opportunity to provide his music to the people. He has been playing many local venues and events, including Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, Taste of Tasmania, MONA, Franklin Folk Club and the Kunyani Folk Club.