Coco Montoya in Oakland

Coco Montoya is an American blues singer and guitarist, born in Santa Monica in 1951. His music draws on electric blues, blues rock and soul, and his solo catalogue includes Gotta Mind to Travel, Suspicion and Hard Truth. Albert Collins hired him as a drummer in the 1970s and brought him onto the road, while also encouraging his development as a guitarist. Montoya later spent ten years touring and recording with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers before beginning his solo career. His headline concerts feature a full electric band built around his singing and left-handed guitar technique, which he developed during his years with Albert Collins.