Jay Smith Group

Fernando Montoya was born in Anaheim and lived in the Orange County area before moving to Bakersfield in 2002.  He began playing flute and trumpet in elementary school and continued on trumpet at Highland High School before switching to the trombone.  Outside of school, he started playing electric bass and eventually switched to double bass in the orchestra and jazz band at Highland.  Montoya continued playing electric and acoustic bass in the orchestra and jazz band at Bakersfield College and now his love of music has led him to working on his Bachelor's Degree in music education at CSUB.  Blues, Rock and Roll and Jazz are some of his favorite musical styles and they all influence his playing and composing.  In addition to Rickety Ship, he currently performs with the CSUB BIg Band and chamber music ensembles, local rock band Trading Company, The Jay Smith Group and he sits in with various other groups from time to time.