About

frankmontis.com · bluespianoschool.com · hammondlessons.com · jazzhub.com

I’m a pianist, Hammond organ player and vocalist from the Netherlands.

Born Frank van den Berge — Dutch for “of the mountain” — I took the Latin form Montis as my stage name. Someone once called out “Hey, Frankie Montis!” at Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen, referring to my father’s company of the same name — and the nickname just stuck.

I grew up surrounded by music and started playing the Hammond organ as a child. The sound, the depth, and the warmth of the instrument drew me in from the very beginning, and it has been at the heart of my musical life ever since.

Over the years I’ve been involved in many different bands and projects that all share one thing: groove. I’ve played and recorded with groups such as The Jazzinvaders, The Soul Snatchers, and Laura Vane & The Vipertones, and I co-founded DelMontis with saxophonist Rolf Delfos — a project that still exists today, though a bit under the radar.

Until late 2024 I was part of Montis, Goudsmit & Directie, alongside guitarist Anton Goudsmit and drummer Cyril Directie. We played a mix of soul, jazz, and funk, and released two albums: Taste of Culture and Root Up. Both albums are still available through the Jazzhub Store. It was an energetic and inspiring time that opened many doors and brought our music to stages like North Sea Jazz, Paradiso, Bimhuis, and Zwarte Cross.

My current projects are all about the same love for authentic, groove-based music.

The Frank Montis Trio — Guus Bakker on bass and Pim Dros on drums — returns to the piano and Rhodes, combining instrumental interplay with vocals in a more acoustic, open format.

The Pulitzers bring together Bas van der Wal, Phil Martin, and Salle de Jonge in a raw, vintage-sounding funk setting. Their debut album Honk Honk is also available via the Jazzhub Store.

Happy Village (Rolf Delfos and Pim Dros) explores a more intimate jazz sound, balancing freedom and lyricism. Their album Ubi Dubi can likewise be found in the Jazzhub Store.

Montis & Menu Cookbook is a new quartet I lead together with baritone saxophonist Jan Menu. Together with Vincent Koning on guitar and Dylan Vos on drums, we pay tribute to the classic baritone-and-Hammond sound in jazz history — not by copying it, but by giving it our own twist, with pure groove, improvisation, and interplay at its core.

Hammond Madness is my newest adventure: two Hammond organs, played by Rob Mostert and myself, powered by drummer Chris Strik — a celebration of everything that makes the instrument so unique.

Alongside performing and recording, I run HammondLessons.com, where I share what I’ve learned about playing this incredible instrument. It’s a place for organ players and enthusiasts who want to dive deeper into the sound, style, and techniques of the Hammond.

For me, music has always been about connection — between musicians, and between the player and the listener. Whether it’s in a quiet trio, a full-on funk band, or behind the camera recording lessons, that same energy keeps me inspired to play and to keep the Hammond sound alive.

About Blues Piano School

This school is new. I started it because the blues piano questions I get do not really belong on an organ site, and because the piano side of this music deserves its own place — the left hand that keeps time on its own, the twelve-bar form, the turnarounds, and the touch that separates playing the notes from playing the blues.

I teach the way I learned: by ear first, with the written music there to catch you rather than to lead you. Everything is filmed close up, and the notation follows along with the video so you never lose your place.

There is not much here yet, and I would rather say so than pretend otherwise. Courses are being recorded and added as they are finished. If you want something covered, tell me — at this stage that genuinely shapes what gets made next.