Matthew Montgomery

1978 - 2025

Matthew Montgomery
06/06/1978 - 08/11/2025
Our beloved son, Matthew Thomas Montgomery died unexpectedly in San Francisco on August 11, 2025. He was 47 years old. He was born in Berkeley, California on June 6, 1978. He attended Mrs. Griffith's preschool in Berkeley and kindergarten at Mill's College in Oakland. Thereafter he attended Moraga public schools, and graduated from Campolindo High School . Matthew always loved music and participated in band and orchestra activities throughout his primary education, including the Campolindo marching band, orchestra, and jazz band. During these years his primary instrument was tenor sax. After graduation Matt attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon for one year. His love of music brought him back to the Bay Area where he finished college at San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Music degree.
While growing up, Matthew took many trips to Europe with his parents, primarily to hike in the German, Austrian, and Swiss Alps, and also to visit his Mother's family in Germany. Following graduation from college he began a professional jazz music career playing standup bass. His performances centered in the Bay Area but also included tours throughout the United States and one European tour. With Tom Disher, Matthew wrote the music for the documentary Enduring Democracy, about the forced relocation of Japanese Americans on the Monterey Peninsula during World War II
Matthew will be deeply missed by his parents, Helga and Thomas Montgomery of Medford, Oregon, his half- sister Kris Jacobson of Corvallis, Oregon, his half -sister, Sarah Schneider of Walnut Creek, California, and his half- brother, Greg Jacobson of Melbourne, Florida. He will also be missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews .
Many friends in the Bay Area, the US, and abroad are also mourning his untimely death. A celebration of life was held on September 29 at the Royale in San Francisco. Our family wishes to thank Will Weston, for making this musician-owned venue available for the entire evening. Our family also wishes to thank Luke Westbrook and other friends for their kind remarks.