Biography

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="id491.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIG MAMA MONTSE WEB ENGL."><U>HOME</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info and booking"><U><B>I</B></U></A><A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Info and booking"><U>NFO & BOOKING</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biography"><U>BIO</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id251.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CD´s and songs (lyrics and audios)"><U>CDS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id293.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photograph album"><U>PHOTOS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Concerts in Festivals"><U>FESTIVALS</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id253.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pressbook"><U>PRESSBOOK</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id788.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History"><U>HISTORY</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id789.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Songbook"><U>SONGBOOK</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZGMLjuy6o5rQ8DOjva8r6?si=4zlrdtT4Ts2MaS4rgPQkVw" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZGMLj"><U><IMG SRC="185a58250.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/all-by-myself/id667968780?i=667969885&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/all-by"><U><IMG SRC="185c572a0.jpg" border=0 width="87" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/user/bmamamontse?gl=ES&hl=es" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/user/bmamamontse?"><U><IMG SRC="159556240.jpg" border=0 width="86" height="36" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Mama-Montse/125618197517139" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Mama-"><U><IMG SRC="159659260.jpg" border=0 width="89" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://www.instagram.com/bigmamamontse/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.instagram.com/bigmamamontse/"><U><IMG SRC="1bc25a270.jpg" border=0 width="90" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="https://www.linkedin.com/in/montserrat-pratdesaba-ribas-b59377277/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.linkedin.com/in/montserrat-p"><U><IMG SRC="1bc459260.jpg" border=0 width="89" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>BIG MAMA MONTSE´s </B><B>BIO</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1a69f23f0.jpg" border=0 width="754" height="575" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Photo: Daniela Gianangeli</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Biography</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Montserrat Pratdesaba</B> was born at  St Quirze de Besora (Catalonia-Spain) in 1963, and was nicknamed <B>Big Mama Montse</B> at Barcelona's legendary "La Cova del Drac" club where her career and love for the Blues began. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">With only 6 years she studied piano and at age 12 she started with the guitar. Montse is telecom engineer specialist in image and sound and has been working for 6 years in the Catalan Television (TV3) but she decided to leave that job to pursue music professionally. Since then she has been strongly committed to the Blues, singing in numerous concerts and festivals. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">She has coproduced <B>21 records</B> and a long list of collaborations on albums in which she has participated. In addition, Big Mama's career has been related to educational work, by offering countless concerts to initiate children and adults in the Blues. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Between 2008 and 2016 he collaborated as a music journalist for the French magazine Blues & Co. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Her music has also had international impact, as Putumayo Records included "No way out", a song by Big Mama & Victor Uris, for the compilation "Blues Around The World" which also featured international artists such as Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, Eric Bibb, Habib Koitié, etc. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">She is currently <B>Vice-President of AIE (Spanish Society of Artists)</B>, <B>Vice-President of the Professional Association of Musicians of Catalonia (Musicat)</B> and <B>member of the Board of IAO</B> (International Artists Organisation). </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">She has been President of the Barcelona Blues Society (1-4-2016/20-1-2024) and a member of the Board of Directors of the AIE (since 2019) and of the Board of the Union of Professional Musicians (since its foundation in 2020 until 20-1-2024). Between 2013-16 she's been one of the 12 members of the Board of the European Blues Union. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On 2013, Montserrat Pratdesaba celebrated her 25th Anniversary as Big Mama on tour with the band Taller de Músics All Stars, in 2018 she commemorated 3 Decades in the Blues with her 30's Band and inand in 2023 35 Years in the music business with Captain's Brotherhood. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300770118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On 2015 she receives the "<B>Jazzterrassaman Award</B>" by Terrassa International Jazz Festival. She has also received the <B>Capibola Blues Award 2010</B> by Barcelona Blues Festival, an ukelele for her 25th Anniversary as Big Mama by Barcelona Blues Society, Honorific Member by Rubí Blues Society on 2015 and Girona Blues Society on 2016, <B>Artist BluesCat 2007</B> given by the Blues Festivals of Catalonia (Cerdanyola, Reus and Roses), "Dones d´Enllaç" Award 2008, "<B>Best Jazz Album 1994</B>" by Radio4, Finalist as "Best Jazz Album" by SGAE and AIE at III Premios de la Música, Finalist of the Bands Challenge by Getxo International Jazz Festival 1991, La Nota de Santa Cecilia 2019 Award by the Association Musicat, Mention by the Vicerrectorado de Políticas Sociales y Cultura of the University Pablo de Olavide from Sevilla 2023, <B>Big Bill Broonzy Award 2024</B> by Barcelona Blues Society, etc.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Festivals</B></div> <div> She has participated in numerous concerts and Jazz and Blues Festivals such as <B>Marciac</B> (95), <B>Bayonne</B> (95), <B>Monségur</B> (95), <B>San Sebastián</B> (95-2000), <B>Lisieux</B> (91), <B>Orange</B> (95), <B>Mégève</B> (95), <B>Getxo</B> (91), <B>Santiago de Compostela</B> (89-91-95-2003), <B>Córdoba</B> (94), <B>Santander</B> (95), <B>Cerdanyola</B> (90-91-92-98-2001-07-13), <B>Barcelona</B> (92-94-2001-02-06-09-12-13-14-15-16-17-18), <B>Terrassa</B> (89-90-93-95-96-2000-07-08-09-10-13-15-19-20-21-24-25), <B>Madrid </B>(<B>San Juan Evangelista-</B>1991, <B>Fund. Juan March</B>-2014, <B>Conde Duque</B>-2017), <B>Mantes-la-Jolie</B> (2002-05), <B>Chaumont</B> (2003), <B>Les Escaldes-Engordany</B> (2002-03), <B> Le Pouliguen</B> (2004),<B> Cognac</B> (2004), <B>Condat sur Vienne</B> (2005), <B>Val d´Oise</B> (2006), <B>Roses</B> (93-2000-04-07-08), <B>Thouars</B> (2010-12), <B>Sem</B> (2012), <B>Sofia</B> (2013), <B>Cahors</B> (2013), <B>Frederikshavn</B> (2013), <B>Trieux Tonic Blues</B> (2014), <B>Guitare en Save</B> (2014), <B>Clarijazz</B> (2014), <B>Getxo</B> (2014), <B>Notodden</B> (2014), <B>Chelyabinsk</B> (2015-18-19), <B>Benicàssim</B> (2015), <B>Blavoevgrad</B> (2016), <B>Eutin</B> (2016), <B>Åmåls</B> (2016), <B>Hondarribia</B> (2016-18), <B>Burlada </B>(2016), <B>Tolosa</B> (2004-05-13-17), <B>Antequera</B> (2017), <B>Salamanca</B> (2017), <B>Alfàs del Pi</B> (2021), <B>Corralejo</B> (2021), <B>Aracena</B> (2021) etc.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Albums</B></div> <div> - BIG MAMA MONTSE & CAPTAIN'S BROTHERHOOD "<B>SMILE</B>" (2025)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA MONTSE & 30's BAND "<B>PARTY LIFE</B>" (2018)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA MONTSE .BAND "<B>SEED OF LOVE</B>" (2017)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA MONTSE & SISTER MARION "<B>JUKE JOINT SESSIONS</B>" (2016)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA MONTSE & SISTER MARION "<B>REAL WOMEN BLUES</B>" (2014)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA & ORIGINAL JAZZ ORQUESTRA DEL TALLER THE MUSICS ALL STARS  "<B>BLUESIN' THE JAZZ</B>" (2013)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA "<B>25th ANNIVERSARY</B>" & TALLER THE MUSICS ALL STARS (2013)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA & THE CRAZY BLUES BAND "<B>BLUES ALL OVER</B>" (2012)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA "<B>BLUES ROOTED</B>"  (2005) </div> <div> - BIG MAMA & JOAN PAU CUMELLAS "<B>EN EL NOM DE TOTS</B>"  (2003) </div> <div> - BIG MAMA & JOAN PAU CUMELLAS "<B>STIR THE POT</B>"  (2001) </div> <div> - BIG MAMA amb JOAN PAU CUMELLAS i MIGUEL TALAVERA "<B>TABLEAU  DE BLUES</B>" (2000)               </div> <div> - BIG MAMA ELÈCTRIC BAND "<B>SER O NO SER</B>" (1998)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA & VÍCTOR URIS  "<B>EL BLUES DE L´OMBRA BLAVA</B>"  (1996)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA amb VÍCTOR URIS I AMADEU CASAS  "<B>EL BLUES DE LA INFLACIÓ</B>"  (1994)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA & THE BLUES MESSENGERS "<B>LET'S HAVE A PARTY</B>" (1993)</div> <div> - BIG MAMA & THE BLUES MESSENGERS "<B>BLUES, BLUES, BLUES!</B>" (1992)</div> <div> - BLUES REUNION `90 (1990)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Collaborations</B></div> <div> - L´HARMÒNICA COIXA BLUES BAND  "<B>WALKING BLUES</B>"  (1991)</div> <div> - LA VELLA DIXIELAND amb BIG MAMA  i JOSEP Mª FARRÀS "<B>RAGTIME</B>"  (1995)</div> <div> - FUEGO  "<B>LET´S PLAY THE BLUES</B>" (1994)</div> <div> - LOTI LEWIS  "<B>ECHOES OF HEARTBEATS</B>" (1997)</div> <div> - CIUTADANES PEL CANVI  (1999)</div> <div> - LES CANÇONS DE TEMPS ERA TEMPS (2000)</div> <div> - NEW ORLEANS BLUE STOMPERS   "<B>HELLO SATCHMO!-THE LOUIS  ARMSTRONG MUSICAL STORY</B>" (2001)</div> <div> - LA LOCOMOTORA NEGRA  "<B>SWING ALS 30 ANYS</B>" (2001) </div> <div> - VICTOR URIS "<B>DE LADO A LADO</B>" (2002) </div> <div> - AMADEU CASAS STROLLIN´ BAND (2005)</div> <div> - BLUES AROUND THE WORLD  (2006)</div> <div> - ESCLAT GOSPEL SINGERS "<B>FROM ROOTS TO HEAVEN</B>"  (2008)</div> <div> - PACTANDO CON EL DIABLO - HOMENAJE A ROBERT JOHNSON (2011)</div> <div> - LA LOCOMOTORA NEGRA & FRIENDS "<B>THE JAZZ ROOM/COVA DEL DRAC SESSIONS</B>" (2011)</div> <div> - ÑACO GOÑI "<B>BLUES CON LOS COLEGAS VOL. II</B>" (2012)</div> <div> - THE DUMOUSTIER STOMPERS "<B>1989-2009 ON STAGE</B>" (2012)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ccffff00.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- GUMBO JASS BAND "<B>15 ANYS</B>" (2013)</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>