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Montalbano is a talented composer and performer whose performance credits include a long list of well-known jazz artists. He currently runs the Music Factory Recording Studio in Rome, N.Y. Montalbano's original compositions have been heard in a variety of contexts -- from jazz trios to big band productions to radio commercials and film scores. In 1992, he released an album of his own compositions entitled "Kindred Spirits." He has performed with the likes of Chuck Mangione, Phil Woods, Grady Tate, Randy Brecker, Louie Bellson, Lionel Hampton, Don Menza, Clark Terry, Joe Mangarelli, J.T. Monterose, Nick Brignola, and Doc Cheatham and served as pianist/musical director for singer Lou Rawls for several years.

Montalbano is the Entertainment Director/Pianist for the Savoy (Rome, N.Y.), where he created the Sunday Night "Jazz Cabaret Series" along with one of the area's most popular events, "Jazz Along the Mohawk," which features some of the country's finest jazz musicians and vocalists. The Rick Montalbano Trio served for many years as the "house" group at Tiny's, then the area's premier jazz club in Utica, backing up national and regional jazz greats. Montalbano also serves as the Associate Music Director for the Central New York Jazz Orchestra.