Montgomery Bernard "Monty" AlexanderOJCD(born 6 June 1944) is aJamaicanAmericanjazzpianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary ofbebopjazz andbluesrooted melodies.[1]He was influenced byLouis Armstrong,Duke Ellington,Erroll Garner,Nat King Cole,Oscar Peterson,Ahmad Jamal,Les McCann,andFrank Sinatra.Alexander also sings and plays themelodica.He is known for his surprising musical twists, bright rhythmic sense, and intense dramatic musical climaxes. His recording career has covered many of the well-known American songbook standards, jazz standards, pop hits, and Jamaican songs from his original homeland. Alexander has resided inNew York Cityfor many years and performs frequently throughout the world at jazz festivals and clubs.
Monty Alexander | |
|---|---|
 Alexander performing atRonnie Scott's,London, in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Montgomery Bernard Alexander |
| Born | 6 June 1944 Kingston,Jamaica |
| Genres | Jazz,reggae,hard bop,straight-ahead jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Piano,melodica,vocals |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Labels | Pacific Jazz,RCA,Verve,MPS,Motéma Music |
| Website | montyalexander |
Biography
editAlexander was born on 6 June 1944 inKingston,Jamaica.[2]He discovered the piano when he was four years old and seemed to have a knack for picking melodies out by ear. His mother sent him to classical music lessons at the age of six and he became interested injazz pianoat the age of 14. Monty boarded at DeCarteret College in Mandeville, then continued his education and musical prowess at Jamaica College. He began playing in clubs, and on recording sessions byClue J & His Blues Blasters,subbing forAubrey Adams,whom he describes as his hero, when he was unable to play.[3][4]Two years later, Alexander directed a dance orchestra (Monty and the Cyclones) and played in the local clubs covering much of the 1960s early rock and pop dance hits. Performances at theCarib Theatrein Jamaica byLouis ArmstrongandNat King Coleleft a strong impression on the young pianist.
Alexander and his family moved toMiami, Florida,in 1961, where he played in various nightclubs. One night Monty was brought to the attention ofFrank Sinatraand Frank's friendJilly Rizzo.They were there to see the act in the next room, a Sinatra imitator. Somebody suggested they also check out the kid playing piano in the front room bar, "He's swinging the room pretty good" they said. Thus, Monty was invited to New York City in 1962 to become the house pianist forJilly Rizzo's night club and restaurant simply called "Jilly's." In addition to performing with Frank Sinatra there,[3]Alexander also met and became friends with bassistRay Brownand vibistMilt Jackson.He also became friendly withMiles Davis,both men sharing a love of watching boxing matches.
In Los Angeles, in 1964, Alexander recorded his first album,Alexander the Great,forPacific Jazz,at the age of 20.[4]The album was very energetic and upbeat, with the climax tune being "Blues for Jilly".
He recorded withMilt Jacksonin 1969, withErnest Ranglinin 1974 and in Europe the same year withEd Thigpen.Alexander toured regularly in Europe and recorded there, mostly with his classic trio for MPS Records. He also toured around 1976 with thesteelpanplayerOthello Molineaux.
In the mid-1970s, he formed a group consisting ofJohn Claytonon bass andJeff Hamiltonon drums, creating a stir on the jazz-scene in Europe. Their most famous collaboration isMontreux Alexander,recorded during theMontreux Jazz Festivalin July 1976.
A year later in 1977, Alexander recorded again with Milt Jackson on the LPSoul Fusion.Jackson used Alexander's trio (with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, future big-band co-leaders) for thePablorecorded LP which was later issued on CD through Original Jazz Classics. Much of the material is obscure (including Jackson's three originals), withStevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely"being the only jazz standard on the album.
Alexander has also played with several singers, among themErnestine AndersonandMary Stallings,as well as with other important leaders (Dizzy Gillespie,Benny Golson,Jimmy GriffinandFrank Morgan). In his successive trios, Alexander has played frequently with musicians associated withOscar Peterson:Herb Ellis,Ray Brown,Mads Vinding,Ed ThigpenandNiels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.
Alexander formed a reggae band in the 1990s, featuring all Jamaican musicians. He has released several reggae albums, includingYard Movement(1996),Stir It Up(1999, a collection ofBob Marleysongs),Monty MeetsSly & Robbie(2000), andGoin' Yard(2001). He collaborated again with Ranglin in 2004 on the albumRocksteady.[3]
Personal life
editAlexander married the American jazz guitaristEmily Remlerin 1981. They divorced in 1985.[5]Alexander lives inManhattanand is married to Italian jazz singerCaterina Zapponi.
Awards and honours
edit- Musgrave Medal,Institute of Jamaica,2000[6]
- Best Live Performance Album, Independent Music Awards,Harlem-Kingston Express,2012[7]
- Grammy-nominated 2011 CD,Harlem-Kingston Express
- 2014 Soul Train Award-nominated followup,Harlem-Kingston Express, Vol. 2: The River Rolls On,both released on Motéma Records
- 2017 Alexander was conferred with the Order of Griffin-Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York.
- In January 2023, Alexander was appointed aMember of the Order of Jamaica(OJ).[8]
Discography
editAs leader
edit| Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Alexander the Great | Pacific Jazz | Trio, withVictor Gaskin(bass),Paul Humphrey(drums) |
| 1965 | Spunky | Pacific Jazz | Most tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums); some tracks quartet, withGene Bertoncini(guitar), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Bruno Carr (drums) |
| 1967 | Zing! | RCA | Some tracks trio, withBob Cranshaw(bass),Al Foster(drums); some tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass),Roy McCurdy(drums) |
| 1969 | This is Monty Alexander | Verve | With orchestra arranged and conducted byJohnny Pate |
| 1970 | Taste of Freedom | MGM | With orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate |
| 1971 | Here Comes the Sun | MPS | Quartet, withEugene Wright(bass),Duffy Jackson(drums),Montego Joe(congas) |
| 1971 | We've Only Just Begun | MPS | Trio, with Eugene Wright (bass),Bobby Durham(drums); in concert |
| 1973 | Perception! | MPS | Trio, with Eugene Wright (bass), Bobby Durham (drums) |
| 1974 | Rass! | MPS | Septet, withErnest Ranglin(lead guitar), Clarence Wears (guitar),Clifton "Jackie" Jackson(electric bass), Sparrow Martin (drums), Noel Seale (congas), Denzil "Pops" Laing (percussion) |
| 1974 | Love and Sunshine | MPS | Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar),Eberhard Weber(bass), Kenny Clare (drums) |
| 1974 | Unlimited Love | MPS | Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Eberhard Weber (bass), Kenny Clare (drums); in concert; also released asMonty Strikes Again |
| 1976 | Montreux Alexander | MPS | Trio, withJohn Clayton(bass),Jeff Hamilton(drums); in concert |
| 1976 | The Way It Is | MPS | Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); released 1979 |
| 1977 | Live in Holland | Polydor | Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums) |
| 1977 | Cobilimbo | MPS | Sextet, with Vincent Taylor (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar),Andy Simpkins(bass),Frank Gant(drums), Charles Campell (congas) |
| 1977 | Estade | MPS | Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Charles Campell (congas) |
| 1978 | Live at Ronnie Scott's | CBS | Trio, with Steve Rodney (bass), Frank Gant (drums) |
| 1978 | Jamento | Pablo | Septet, with Vince Charles (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Roger Bethelmy (drums), Duffy Jackson (drums), Larry McDonald (percussion) |
| 1979 | In Tokyo | Pablo | Trio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Frank Gant (drums) |
| 1979 | Just In Time | Live At EJ's | Trio, withBob Maize(bass), Frank Gant (drums); released 1996 |
| 1979 | So What? | Black & Blue | Solo piano |
| 1980 | Solo | Jeton | Solo piano |
| 1980 | Facets | Concord | Trio, withRay Brown(bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums) |
| 1980 | Ivory & Steel | Concord | Sextet, with Othello Molineaux and Len "Boogsie" Sharpe (steel drums), Gerald Wiggins [sic] (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion) |
| 1980 | Monty Alexander – Ernest Ranglin | MPS | Duo, with Ernest Ranglin |
| 1981 | Trio | Concord | Trio, withHerb Ellis(guitar), Ray Brown (bass) |
| 1981 | Fingering | Atlas | Trio, with Ray Brown (bass),Shelly Manne(drums) |
| 1982 | Look Up | Atlas | Trio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums) |
| 1982 | Overseas Special | Concord | Trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); in concert; released 1984 |
| 1982 | Triple Treat | Concord | Trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass) |
| 1983 | TheDuke EllingtonSong Book | MPS/Verve | Duo, with John Clayton (bass) |
| 1984 | Reunion in Europe | Concord | Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums) |
| 1985 | Caribbean Duet | Harmonic | Duo, withMichel Sardaby(piano) |
| 1985 | Full Steam Ahead | Concord | Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Frank Gant (drums) |
| 1985 | Threesome | Soul Note | Trio, withNiels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen(bass),Grady Tate(drums, vocals) |
| 1985 | Friday Night | Limetree | Quartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert; released 1987 |
| 1985 | Saturday Night | Limetree | Quartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert; released 1988 |
| 1986 | Li'l Darlin' | TDK | Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); released 1993 |
| 1986 | To Nat, With Love | Zanda | Sextet, with Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), John Collins (guitar), John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert |
| 1987 | Triple Treat II | Concord | Most tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, withJohn Frigo(violin) added; in concert |
| 1987 | Triple Treat III | Concord | Most tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, with John Frigo (violin) added; in concert; released 1989 |
| 1988 | Jamboree | Concord Picante | Septet, with Othello Molineaux and Leo "Boogsie" Sharp (steel drums), Marshall Wood (bass), Bernard Montgomery (electric bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion) |
| 1990 | The River | Concord | Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums) |
| 1991 | Live at the Cully Select Jazz Festival | Limetree | Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums) |
| 1992 | Caribbean Circle | Chesky | |
| 1994 | Monty Alexander at Maybeck | Concord | Solo piano; in concert |
| 1994 | Steamin' | Concord | Trio, withIra Coleman(bass), Dion Parson (drums) |
| 1995 | Many Rivers To Cross | Meldac | With Ernest Ranglin |
| 1996 | Yard Movement | Island | With Ernest Ranglin |
| 1996 | To the Ends of the Earth | Concord Picante | Alexander's Ivory & Steel band |
| 1996 | Echoes of Jilly's | Concord | Trio, withJohn Patitucci(bass), Troy Davis (drums) |
| 1999 | Stir It Up: The Music ofBob Marley | Telarc | |
| 2000 | Monty Meets Sly and Robbie | Telarc | WithSly Dunbar,Robbie Shakespeare |
| 2000 | Goin' Yard | Telarc | In concert |
| 2002 | My America | Telarc | |
| 2003 | Impressions in Blue | Telarc | Trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Mark Taylor (drums) |
| 2004 | Rocksteady | Telarc | With Ernest Ranglin |
| 2004 | Live at the Iridium | Telarc | Most tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Mark Taylor (drums); some tracks quartet, with Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion) added; in concert |
| 2005 | Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley | Telarc | |
| 2008 | The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs ofTony Bennett | Chesky | Trio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums) |
| 2009 | Calypso Blues: The Songs ofNat King Cole | Chesky | Trio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums) |
| 2007–2010 | Uplift[9] | Jazz Legacy | Most tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Herlin Riley (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert |
| 2011 | Love Me Tender | Venus | Trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Willie Jones III (drums) |
| 2011 | Harlem-Kingston Express | Motéma | In concert |
| 2013 | Uplift 2 | Jazz Legacy | Most tracks trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert |
| 1988–2013 | Harlem-Kingston Express, Vol. 2: The River Rolls On | Motéma | |
| 2017 | Road Dog | MACD | This is Monty Alexander's own label |
| 2019 | Wareika Hill: Rasta-Monk Vibrations | MACD |
Compilations
edit| Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Concord Jazz Heritage Series | Concord | |
| 2000 | Ballad Essentials | Concord | |
| 2000 | Island Grooves | Concord | Compilation ofJamboree+Ivory & Steel |
| 2002 | Triple Scoop | Concord | Compilation ofTriple Treat+Triple Treat II+Triple Treat III |
| 2003 | Straight Ahead | Concord | Compilation ofOverseas Special+Trio |
| 2004 | Steaming Hot | Concord | Compilation ofFull Steam Ahead+Steamin' |
| 2005 | Jazz Calypso: Monty Alexander Caribbean Best | JVC | |
| 2007 | Alexander The Great: Monty Swings On MPS | MPS /Universal | 4-CD set; compilation of 'Here Comes The Sun', 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Perception!', 'Love And Sunshine', 'Unlimited Love', 'The Way It Is' |
As sideman
editWithErnest Ranglin
- Ranglypso(MPS, 1974)
- Below the Bassline(Island, 1996)
- Rocksteady(Telarc, 2004)
- Order of Distinction(Milk River Music, 2009)
WithMilt Jackson
- That's the Way It Is(Impulse!,1969)
- Just the Way It Had to Be(Impulse!, 1969)
- Soul Fusion(Pablo, 1977)
- Montreux '77(Pablo, 1977)
- A London Bridge(Pablo, 1982)
- Mostly Duke(Pablo, 1982)
- Memories of Thelonious Sphere Monk(Pablo, 1982)
WithRay Brown
- Live at the Concord Jazz Festival(Concord, 1979)
- Summerwind(Jeton, 1981) 2LP
- A Ray Brown 3(Concord, 1983)
- Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, & Russell Malone(Telarc, 2002)
- Walk On(Telarc, 2003)
WithTony Bennett
- A Swingin' Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band)(Columbia, 2008)
With others
- 1969The Original Jam Sessions 1969,Quincy JonesandBill Cosby
- 1971Smackwater Jack,Quincy Jones
- 1977Dizzy Gillespie Montreux Jam,Dizzy Gillespie
- 1979Somewhere in My Lifetime,Phyllis Hyman
- 1980Royal Blue,Marshal Royal
- 1980Never Make Your Move Too Soon,Ernestine Anderson
- 1982Goal,Dieter Goal
- 1986Go for Whatcha' Know,Jimmy Smith
- 1987Spontaneous Combustion,Barney Kessel
- 1989Chicken Scratch,Lee "Scratch" Perry
- 1990Snowy Morning Blues,Howard Alden
- 1991Unforgettable: With Love,Natalie Cole
- 1994That's Funky,Benny Golson
- 1994Hi-Bop Ska!,The Skatalites
- 1996Landmarks,Clifton Anderson
- 1996Manhattan Moods,Mary Stallings
- 1996Verve Jazz Masters #59,Toots Thielemans
- 2000One on One,Clark Terry
- 2000That's Funky,Benny Golson
- 2001Universal Lovesongs,Caterina Zapponi
- 2002Kristian Jørgensen Meets Monty Alexander,Kristian Jørgensen
- 2003Tribute to Charlie Parker,Frank Morgan
- 2004With All My Heart,Harvey Mason
- 2005In the Rhythm,Suzanne Couch
- 2006Chuck Redd Remembers Barney Kessel: Happy All the Time,Chuck Redd
- 2010Back in the Saddle Again,Bucky Pizzarelli
- 2010You Are There: Duets,Hilary Kole
- 2011Kaiso,Etienne Charles
- 2011Man With the Hat,Grace Kelly/Phil Woods[10]
Filmography
edit- Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty – Live at Montreux(1994)
- New Morning – The Paris Concert(2008)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Cook, Richard (2005).Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia.London: Penguin Books. p. 7.ISBN0-141-00646-3.
- ^Rinzler, Paul; Kernfeld, Barry (2002). "Alexander, Monty". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.).The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, vol. 1(2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 28.ISBN1-56159-284-6.
- ^abcMoskowitz, David V. (2006),Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall,Greenwood Press,ISBN0-313-33158-8,pp. 8–9.
- ^abBarrow, Steve, & Dalton, Peter (2004),The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn,Rough Guides,ISBN1-84353-329-4,pp. 24, 49.
- ^Nicholson, Stuart (1990),Jazz: The Modern Resurgence,Simon & Schuster,ISBN978-0671710125,p. 89.
- ^"Musgrave Awardees".Institute of Jamaica. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2014.Retrieved6 February2015.
- ^"11th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced!"Independent Music Awards, 2 May 2012. Retrieved on 4 September 2013.
- ^"An OJ for Monty".Jamaica Observer.7 January 2023.Retrieved22 June2023.
- ^Monty Alexander UPLIFT 2.Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^"Monty Alexander | Credits".AllMusic.Retrieved31 December2016.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Images of Monty Alexander,digitized photographs from theJames Arkatov Collectionat UCLA Library Special Collections.
- New England Jazz History Database Audio Interviews