**FREE ENTRY** Monty Shnier Quartet (Front Bar)

** FREE ENTRY // FRONT BAR // 6:30 - 8:30PM **Monty Shnier is a Composing double Bassist and a Mainstay in the Melbourne Jazz and Improvised Scenes. They completed their Studies at VCASS and the Victorian College of the Arts under Australian Jazz Luminaries Tamara Murphy, Sam Anning, and Andrea Keller, Being awarded a Mentee Position with the Australian Art Orchestra in this time. In late 2022 they released their Debut Album 'Where the Blackwoods Grow' Through ABC Jazz as a commissioned work. The album was overwhelmingly positively received, described as 'creating contrasting points of tender beauty with energy, chaos, and cathartic release'. From there Monty has been working extensively as a side-person, touring extensively throughout Australia and contributing to numerous records in the Jazz, Improvised, and Folk music scenes. Their new works explore themes of gender identity, representing a redoubled commitment to creating music from a sense of honesty and joy.