Monty Alexander JWP
MONTY ALEXANDER
Monty Alexander was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica where he began piano lessons at the age of six. As a youngster, he was often invited to sit in with the bands of prominent musicians in Jamaica. While still a teenager, he had the opportunity to enjoy the performances of Louis Armstrong and Nat “King” Cole at the Carib Theater in Jamaica. His style of playing was deeply affected by their joyful gospel of jazz. He eventually formed a band called “Monty and the Cyclones,” which charted several songs on the Jamaican hit parade from 1958 to 1960.
In the summer of 1963, Monty played in Las Vegas, Nevada with Art Mooney’s orchestra. He was observed by Jilly Rizzo and his friend, Frank Sinatra. Jilly hired him to work in his club in New York City. At Jilly’s, he played for and accompanied many well-known personalities of the entertainment world, including “the chairman of the board” himself, Mr. Sinatra. It was at Jilly’s that he met Milt Jackson, who hired Monty to work with him. Soon thereafter, he began an association with bassist Ray Brown that lasted for many years. Also, he performed with other jazz giants, including Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, and Sonny Rollins.
Since 1964, Monty has recorded with other artists and played on movie soundtracks and albums with Quincy Jones. He worked for producer/director Clint Eastwood on the film Bird, about the life of Charlie Parker. In 1991, he assisted Natalie Cole in a tribute to her father, Nat “King” Cole. That album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards. In 1993, he had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in a tribute to the beloved jazz pianist Erroll Garner. In 1993 and 1994, he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland with opera singer Barbara Hendricks in a program of Duke Ellington compositions.
Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected] In 1995, he was back in Montreux with his all-Jamaican reggae group where he recorded a live album for Island Records, Yard Movement . In August 1996, Monty was invited to the Verbier Festival in Switzerland to perform George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with a full symphony orchestra directed by Bobby McFerrin. By 1996, Monty had recorded over 50 CDs under his own name and was frequently performing at leading festivals and music venues worldwide.
In 1999, Monty combined acoustic jazz and Jamaican reggae rhythm sections to offer Stir It Up , a tasty and exciting musical brew of songs by the great Bob Marley. On his Telarc debut, Monty was joined by the Jamaican group Gumption, led by Rolando Wilson on drums, Trevor McKenzie on bass, Robert Angus on guitar, and Dwight Dawes on keyboard. Gumption interfaced rhythmically with the jazz rhythm section, which included Troy Davis on drums and Hassan Shakur on bass. Labelmate Steve Turre guested on trombone and conch shells.
Monty Meets Sly and Robbie was released in 2000. This recording featured Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare — reggae’s most respected and experienced rhythm section — who joined Monty in creating a vibrant combination of classic soul tunes, funky jazz and hardcore grooves.
His third Telarc album, Goin’ Yard , released in 2001, was recorded live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Goin’ Yard united Monty with a six-piece band of Jamaica’s finest musicians, including bassist Glen Browne, guitarists Robert Browne and Wayne Armond, drummer Desmond Jones, keyboardist Dwight Dawes and hand drummer Robert Thomas. Monty’s My America, with guest appearances by guitarist John Pizzarelli and vocalists Freddy Cole and Kevin Mahogany, was released on Telarc in August 2002.
Most recently, Monty teamed up with his jazz trio for the first time in 5 years for Impressions in Blue, a wonderful celebration of the bluesier side of jazz, with eleven tracks that include favorites from the great American songbook, as well as few selections of more exotic origin. Impressions in Blue will be released in June of 2003.
Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected]