The Tone-Bars

The Tone-Bars maintains a flexible roster that welcomes special guests, while its core group brings together musicians whose credentials reflect the highest levels of the jazz world. With backgrounds spanning jazz, classical music, composition and instrument making, the members bring a remarkable range of experience and artistry to the ensemble.

John Monteleone

Recognized as one of the finest living archtop guitar and mandolin makers in the world, John Monteleone has been at the forefront of innovative instrument making for more than four decades. His uniquely designed instruments embody artistic expression through the subtle and challenging marriage of form and function.

A resident of Islip, New York, Monteleone has continually pushed the boundaries of the luthier’s art with his passion for elegant design and instruments of exceptional tonal expression. While he offers a line of standard high-end instruments, he is perhaps best known for his one-of-a-kind custom creations—highly prized works of playable musical art.

Steve Salerno

Sitting in what the group calls “the captain’s guitar chair” is Steve Salerno, an accomplished performer of both jazz and classical music whose career spans continents and an impressive range of collaborations.

Salerno has performed throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and North America, sharing the stage with such legendary musicians as Jaco Pastorius, John Abercrombie and Regina Carter. He is a member of the Ray Anderson Organic Quartet, Paul Smoker 4-Tet and Mala Waldron Quartet, among other distinguished ensembles.

Dean Johnson

On bass is Dean Johnson, a Seattle native who studied with renowned bassist Gary Peacock before attending Berklee College of Music. Since arriving in New York in 1980, Johnson has become one of the most sought-after bassists in jazz.

His eclectic résumé includes performances with Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Ray Anderson, Lee Konitz and Wynton Marsalis. Johnson has appeared on more than 80 recordings and spent a decade as bassist for legendary saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, remaining with Mulligan until his passing in 1996.

Samantha Monteleone

Samantha Monteleone brings both musical talent and a distinctive professional background to The Tone-Bars. A board-certified music therapist specializing in early intervention with young children, Samantha is also an active performer and recording artist.

Performing under the name Feather Heart, she recently released her first EP on streaming platforms. She has also contributed vocals to several recording projects, including The Belle Curves’ Subject to Change, Anne O’Rourke’s Love on Our Lips and Range’s The Chase.

For Samantha, performing with The Tone-Bars carries special meaning. Sharing the stage with her father, John Monteleone, creates a joyful collaboration that connects two generations through their shared love of music.

FULL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY OCT. 17

NOON  |  Cookin’ with Wood

A live club and livestreamed, global event with John Monteleone and GE Smith

2PM  |  The Tonebars

featuring Steve Salerno (archtop guitar), Dean Johnson (upright bass), John Monteleone (archtop guitar), and Samantha Monteleone (archtop guitar) performing jazz and favorite pop standards. 

5PM  |  Paul Ricci + Mafalda Minnozi

Paul Ricci (electric and acoustic guitars) and Mafalda Minnozzi (vocalist), bringing Italy, Brazil and NYC’s favorite duo always embracing their multicultural influences from around the world.

7PM  |  Antoine Boyer & Yeore Kim

Antoine Boyer (electric and acoustic guitars), Yeore Kim (harmonica)