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Monty Alexander

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The Honourable
Monty Alexander
OJ CD
Alexander performing at Ronnie Scott's, London, in 2006
Alexander performing at Ronnie Scott's, London, in 2006
Background information
Born
Montgomery Bernard Alexander

(1944-06-06) 6 June 1944 (age 82)
Kingston, Jamaica
GenresJazz, reggae, hard bop, straight-ahead jazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsPiano, melodica, vocals
Years active1958–present
LabelsPacific Jazz, RCA, Verve, MPS, Motéma Music
Websitemontyalexander.com

Montgomery Bernard "Monty" Alexander OJ CD (born 6 June 1944) is a Jamaican American jazz pianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies.[1] He was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Les McCann, and Frank Sinatra. Alexander also sings and plays the melodica. 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 in New York City for many years and performs frequently throughout the world at jazz festivals and clubs.

Biography

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Alexander was born on 6 June 1944 in Kingston, 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 in jazz piano at 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 by Clue J & His Blues Blasters, subbing for Aubrey 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 the Carib Theatre in Jamaica by Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole left a strong impression on the young pianist.

Alexander and his family moved to Miami, Florida, in 1961,[5] where he played in various nightclubs. One night Monty was brought to the attention of Frank Sinatra and Frank's friend Jilly 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 for Jilly 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 bassist Ray Brown and vibist Milt Jackson. He also became friendly with Miles Davis, both men sharing a love of watching boxing matches.

In Los Angeles, in 1964, Alexander recorded his first album, Alexander the Great, for Pacific Jazz, at the age of 20.[4] The album was very energetic and upbeat, with the climax tune being "Blues for Jilly". He recorded with Milt Jackson in 1969, with Ernest Ranglin in 1974 and in Europe the same year with Ed Thigpen. Alexander toured regularly in Europe and recorded there, mostly with his classic trio for MPS Records. He also toured around 1976 with the steelpan player Othello Molineaux. In the mid-1970s, he formed a group consisting of John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums, creating a stir on the jazz-scene in Europe. Their most famous collaboration is Montreux Alexander, recorded during the Montreux Jazz Festival in July 1976.

A year later in 1977, Alexander recorded again with Milt Jackson on the LP Soul Fusion. Jackson used Alexander's trio (with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, future big-band co-leaders) for the Pablo recorded LP which was later issued on CD through Original Jazz Classics. Much of the material is obscure (including Jackson's three originals), with Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" being the only jazz standard on the album.

Alexander has also played with several singers, among them Ernestine Anderson and Mary Stallings, as well as with other important leaders (Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Jimmy Griffin and Frank Morgan). In his successive trios, Alexander has played frequently with musicians associated with Oscar Peterson: Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Mads Vinding, Ed Thigpen and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Alexander formed a reggae band in the 1990s, featuring all Jamaican musicians. He has released several reggae albums, including Yard Movement (1996), Stir It Up (1999, a collection of Bob Marley songs), Monty Meets Sly & Robbie (2000), and Goin' Yard (2001). He collaborated again with Ranglin in 2004 on the album Rocksteady.[3]

Personal life

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Alexander married the American jazz guitarist Emily Remler in 1981. They divorced in 1985.[6] Alexander lives in Manhattan and is married to Italian jazz singer Caterina Zapponi.

Awards and honours

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  • Musgrave Medal, Institute of Jamaica, 2000[7]
  • Best Live Performance Album, Independent Music Awards, Harlem-Kingston Express, 2012[8]
  • 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 a Member of the Order of Jamaica (OJ).[9]

Discography

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As leader/co-leader

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Recording date Title Label Year released Notes
1964 Alexander the Great Pacific Jazz 1965 Trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums); in concert
1964–
1965		 Spunky Pacific Jazz 1965 Most tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums); some tracks quartet, with Gene Bertoncini (guitar), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Bruno Carr (drums)
1967 Zing! RCA Victor 1968 Some tracks trio, with Bob Cranshaw (bass), Al Foster (drums); some tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Roy McCurdy (drums)
1969–07 This is Monty Alexander Verve 1969 With orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate
1970? Taste of Freedom MGM 1970 With orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate
1971–06 Here Comes the Sun MPS 1972 Quartet, with Eugene Wright (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums), Montego Joe (congas)
1971–12 We've Only Just Begun MPS 1972 Trio, with Eugene Wright (bass), Bobby Durham (drums); in concert
1973–06 Perception! MPS 1974 Trio, with Eugene Wright (bass), Bobby Durham (drums)
1974? Rass! MPS 1974 Septet, with Ernest Ranglin (lead guitar), Clarence Wears (guitar), Clifton "Jackie" Jackson (electric bass), Sparrow Martin (drums), Noel Seale (congas), Denzil "Pops" Laing (percussion)
1974–10 Love and Sunshine MPS 1975 Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Eberhard Weber (bass), Kenny Clare (drums)
1974–10 Unlimited Love - Live & In Concert MPS 1976 Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Eberhard Weber (bass), Kenny Clare (drums); in concert; also released as Monty Strikes Again
1976–05 The Way It Is MPS 1979 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1976–06 Montreux Alexander - Live! at the Montreux Festival MPS 1977 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); in concert
1977–03 Live in Holland Polydor 1988 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); in concert
1977–07 Soul Fusion Pablo 1978 Co-led with Milt Jackson; in concert
1977–09 Cobilimbo MPS 1978 Sextet, with Vincent Taylor (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Charles Campell (congas)
1977–09 Estade MPS 1977 Quartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Charles Campell (congas)
1978? Live at Ronnie Scott's CBS 1978 Trio, with Steve Rodney (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1978–06 Jamento Pablo 1978 Septet, with Vince Charles (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Roger Bethelmy (drums), Duffy Jackson (drums), Larry McDonald (percussion)
1979–01 In Tokyo Pablo 1979 Trio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1979–08 Facets Concord 1980 Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1979–09 Just In Time Live At EJ's 1996 Trio, with Bob Maize (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1979–10 So What? Black & Blue 1979 Solo piano
1980–03 Ivory & Steel Concord 1980 Sextet, with Othello Molineaux and Len "Boogsie" Sharpe (steel drums), Gerald Wiggins [sic] (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion)
1980–08 Trio Concord 1981 Trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass)
1980–10 Solo Jeton 1980 Solo piano
1980–12 Monty Alexander – Ernest Ranglin MPS 1981 Duo, with Ernest Ranglin
1981–05 Fingering Atlas 1981 Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Shelly Manne (drums)
1982–03 Triple Treat Concord 1982 Trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass)
1982–03 Overseas Special Concord 1984 Trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); in concert
1982–12 Look Up Atlas 1983 Trio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums)
1983–03 Reunion in Europe Concord 1984 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); in concert
1983–03 The Duke Ellington Song Book MPS/Verve 1984 Duo, with John Clayton (bass)
1984–11 Caribbean Duet Harmonic 1985 Duo, with Michel Sardaby (piano); in concert
1985? Full Steam Ahead Concord 1985 Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1985–10 Friday Night Limetree 1987 Quartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert
1985–10 Saturday Night Limetree 1988 Quartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert
1985–10 The River Concord Jazz 1990 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums)
1985–11,
1985–12		 Threesome Soul Note 1986 Trio, with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass), Grady Tate (drums, vocals)
1986–04 Li'l Darlin' Lob 1988 Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1986–12 To Nat, With Love Zanda 1987 Sextet, with Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), John Collins (guitar), John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert
1987–06 Triple Treat II Concord Jazz 1988 Most tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, with John Frigo (violin) added; in concert
1987–06 Triple Treat III Concord Jazz 1989 Most tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, with John Frigo (violin) added; in concert
1988–02,
1988–03		 Jamboree Concord Picante 1988 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)
1991–03 Live at the Cully Select Jazz Festival Limetree 1991 Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums); in concert
1992–06 Caribbean Circle Chesky 1992
1994–09 Steamin' Concord 1995 Trio, with Ira Coleman (bass), Dion Parson (drums)
1994–09 Monty Alexander at Maybeck Concord 1995 Solo piano; in concert
1995–02 Many Rivers To Cross Meldac 1995 With Ernest Ranglin
1995 Yard Movement Island 1996 With Ernest Ranglin
1996–05 To the Ends of the Earth Concord Picante 1996 Alexander's Ivory & Steel band
1996–12 Echoes of Jilly's Concord Jazz 1997 Trio, with John Patitucci (bass), Troy Davis (drums)
1999? Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley Telarc 1999
1999–12 Monty Meets Sly and Robbie Telarc Jazz 2000 With Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare
2000–10 Goin' Yard Telarc Jazz 2001 In concert
2002–03,
2002–04		 My America Telarc Jazz 2002
2003? Impressions in Blue Telarc 2003 Trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Mark Taylor (drums)
2003–06 Rocksteady Telarc 2004 With Ernest Ranglin
2004–05 Live at the Iridium Telarc 2005 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 2006
2008? The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs of Tony Bennett Chesky 2008 Trio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums)
2008? Calypso Blues: The Songs of Nat King Cole Chesky 2009 Trio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums)
2006 –
2010–06		 Harlem-Kingston Express Motéma 2011 In concert
2007 –
2010		 Uplift [10] Jazz Legacy 2011 Most tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Herlin Riley (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert
2010–09 Love Me Tender Venus 2011 Trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Willie Jones III (drums)
1988 –
2013		 Harlem-Kingston Express, Vol. 2: The River Rolls On Motéma 2014
2011 –
2013?		 Uplift 2 Jazz Legacy 2013 Most tracks trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert
2017? Road Dog MACD 2017 This is Monty Alexander's own label
2019? Wareika Hill: Rasta-Monk Vibrations MACD 2019

[5]

Compilations

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Year recorded Title Label Notes
1998 The Concord Jazz Heritage Series Concord
2000 Ballad Essentials Concord
2000 Island Grooves Concord Compilation of Jamboree + Ivory & Steel
2002 Triple Scoop Concord Compilation of Triple Treat + Triple Treat II + Triple Treat III
2003 Straight Ahead Concord Compilation of Overseas Special + Trio
2004 Steaming Hot Concord Compilation of Full 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

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With Ernest Ranglin

  • Ranglypso (MPS, 1974)
  • Below the Bassline (Island, 1996)
  • Rocksteady (Telarc, 2004)
  • Order of Distinction (Milk River Music, 2009)

With Milt Jackson

With Ray Brown

  • Montreux '77 with Milt Jackson (Pablo Live, 1977) – live
  • Live at the Concord Jazz Festival (Concord, 1979) – live
  • Summerwind (Jeton, 1981)[2LP]
  • A Ray Brown 3 (Concord, 1983)
  • Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, & Russell Malone (Telarc, 2002)
  • Walk On (Telarc, 2003)

With others

Filmography

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  • Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty – Live at Montreux (1994)
  • New Morning – The Paris Concert (2008)

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. p. 7. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.
  2. ↑ 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. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
  3. 1 2 3 Moskowitz, David V. (2006), Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, pp. 8–9.
  4. 1 2 Barrow, Steve, & Dalton, Peter (2004), The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn, Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-329-4, pp. 24, 49.
  5. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  6. ↑ Nicholson, Stuart (1990), Jazz: The Modern Resurgence, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-0671710125, p. 89.
  7. ↑ "Musgrave Awardees". Institute of Jamaica. Retrieved 6 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "11th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced!" Independent Music Awards, 2 May 2012. Retrieved on 4 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "An OJ for Monty". Jamaica Observer. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Monty Alexander UPLIFT 2. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Monty Alexander | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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