Rhythm and Blues Musician. An accomplished guitarist in blues, jazz (his preference) and rock and roll, Roy Montrell began his professional career with Roy Milton's band in 1951 after his discharge from the U.S. Army. Three years later, he joined Lloyd Price's band before settling down as a sessions guitarist for Specialty Records in 1955. One year later he recorded his only single as a vocalist and guitarist, "(Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone"/"Oooh - Wow" (Specialty 583). He also coauthored "That Mellow Saxophone" with John Marascalco and 'Bumps' Blackwell. It has been said that because of the constant demand for his services as a sessions musician, he only recorded two single records in his life; the second, an instrumental "Mudd"/ "The Montrell" was recorded in 1960 for Minit Records. In 1959, he began his long association with 'Fats' Domino, first, as a sessions musician (1959-1967), then as lead guitarist in Domino's tour band in 1962, and as band leader for Domino 1967-1979. While on tour with Fats Domino in the Netherlands, he died of an apparent drug overdose. In addition to his sessions work for many musical legends, he is known for "That Mellow Saxophone" which has been covered by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, among other groups.
Rhythm and Blues Musician. An accomplished guitarist in blues, jazz (his preference) and rock and roll, Roy Montrell began his professional career with Roy Milton's band in 1951 after his discharge from the U.S. Army. Three years later, he joined Lloyd Price's band before settling down as a sessions guitarist for Specialty Records in 1955. One year later he recorded his only single as a vocalist and guitarist, "(Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone"/"Oooh - Wow" (Specialty 583). He also coauthored "That Mellow Saxophone" with John Marascalco and 'Bumps' Blackwell. It has been said that because of the constant demand for his services as a sessions musician, he only recorded two single records in his life; the second, an instrumental "Mudd"/ "The Montrell" was recorded in 1960 for Minit Records. In 1959, he began his long association with 'Fats' Domino, first, as a sessions musician (1959-1967), then as lead guitarist in Domino's tour band in 1962, and as band leader for Domino 1967-1979. While on tour with Fats Domino in the Netherlands, he died of an apparent drug overdose. In addition to his sessions work for many musical legends, he is known for "That Mellow Saxophone" which has been covered by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, among other groups.
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