Monty Alexander

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The Honourable
Monty Alexander
OJ CD
Monty Alexander.jpg
Alexander performing at Ronnie Scott's, London, in 2006
Background information
Birth nameMontgomery Bernard Alexander
Born (1944-06-06) 6 June 1944 (age 79)
Kingston, Jamaica
Genres Jazz, reggae, hard bop, straight-ahead jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano, melodica, vocals
Years active1958–present
Labels Pacific Jazz, RCA, Verve, MPS, Motéma Music
Website montyalexander.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.

Contents

Biography

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, 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

Alexander married the American jazz guitarist Emily Remler in 1981. They divorced in 1985. [5] Alexander lives in Manhattan and is married to Italian jazz singer Caterina Zapponi.

Awards and honours

Discography

As leader

Year recordedTitleLabelNotes
1964 Alexander the Great Pacific Jazz Trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums)
1965 Spunky Pacific JazzMost tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums); some tracks quartet, with Gene Bertoncini (guitar), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Bruno Carr (drums)
1967Zing! RCA Some tracks trio, with Bob Cranshaw (bass), Al Foster (drums); some tracks trio, with Victor Gaskin (bass), Roy McCurdy (drums)
1969This is Monty Alexander Verve With orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate
1970Taste of Freedom MGM With orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnny Pate
1971Here Comes the Sun MPS Quartet, with Eugene Wright (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums), Montego Joe (congas)
1971We've Only Just BegunMPSTrio, with Eugene Wright (bass), Bobby Durham (drums); in concert
1973Perception!MPSTrio, with Eugene Wright (bass), Bobby Durham (drums)
1974Rass!MPSSeptet, with Ernest Ranglin (lead guitar), Clarence Wears (guitar), Clifton "Jackie" Jackson (electric bass), Sparrow Martin (drums), Noel Seale (congas), Denzil "Pops" Laing (percussion)
1974Love and SunshineMPSQuartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Eberhard Weber (bass), Kenny Clare (drums)
1974Unlimited LoveMPSQuartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Eberhard Weber (bass), Kenny Clare (drums); in concert; also released as Monty Strikes Again
1976Montreux AlexanderMPSTrio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); in concert
1976The Way It IsMPSTrio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); released 1979
1977Live in Holland Polydor Trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1977CobilimboMPSSextet, with Vincent Taylor (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Charles Campell (congas)
1977EstadeMPSQuartet, with Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Charles Campell (congas)
1978Live at Ronnie Scott'sCBSTrio, with Steve Rodney (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1978Jamento Pablo Septet, with Vince Charles (steel drums), Ernest Ranglin (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), Roger Bethelmy (drums), Duffy Jackson (drums), Larry McDonald (percussion)
1979In TokyoPabloTrio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1979Just In TimeLive At EJ'sTrio, with Bob Maize (bass), Frank Gant (drums); released 1996
1979So What? Black & Blue Solo piano
1980SoloJetonSolo piano
1980Facets Concord Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1980Ivory & SteelConcordSextet, with Othello Molineaux and Len "Boogsie" Sharpe (steel drums), Gerald Wiggins [sic] (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion)
1980Monty Alexander – Ernest RanglinMPSDuo, with Ernest Ranglin
1981TrioConcordTrio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass)
1981Fingering Atlas Trio, with Ray Brown (bass), Shelly Manne (drums)
1982Look UpAtlasTrio, with Andy Simpkins (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums)
1982Overseas SpecialConcordTrio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); in concert; released 1984
1982Triple TreatConcordTrio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass)
1983The Duke Ellington Song BookMPS/VerveDuo, with John Clayton (bass)
1984Reunion in EuropeConcordTrio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)
1985Caribbean DuetHarmonicDuo, with Michel Sardaby (piano)
1985Full Steam AheadConcordTrio, with Ray Brown (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
1985Threesome Soul Note Trio, with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass), Grady Tate (drums, vocals)
1985Friday Night Limetree Quartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert; released 1987
1985Saturday NightLimetreeQuartet, with Reggie Johnson (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert; released 1988
1986Li'l Darlin' TDKTrio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); released 1993
1986To Nat, With LoveZandaSextet, with Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), John Collins (guitar), John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion); in concert
1987Triple Treat IIConcordMost tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, with John Frigo (violin) added; in concert
1987Triple Treat IIIConcordMost tracks trio, with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass); some tracks quartet, with John Frigo (violin) added; in concert; released 1989
1988JamboreeConcord PicanteSeptet, with Othello Molineaux and Leo "Boogsie" Sharp (steel drums), Marshall Wood (bass), Bernard Montgomery (electric bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion)
1990The RiverConcordTrio, with John Clayton (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums)
1991Live at the Cully Select Jazz FestivalLimetreeTrio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Duffy Jackson (drums)
1992Caribbean Circle Chesky
1994 Monty Alexander at Maybeck ConcordSolo piano; in concert
1994Steamin' ConcordTrio, with Ira Coleman (bass), Dion Parson (drums)
1995Many Rivers To CrossMeldacWith Ernest Ranglin
1996 Yard Movement Island With Ernest Ranglin
1996To the Ends of the EarthConcord PicanteAlexander's Ivory & Steel band
1996Echoes of Jilly'sConcordTrio, with John Patitucci (bass), Troy Davis (drums)
1999Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley Telarc
2000Monty Meets Sly and RobbieTelarcWith Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare
2000Goin' YardTelarcIn concert
2002My AmericaTelarc
2003Impressions in BlueTelarcTrio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Mark Taylor (drums)
2004RocksteadyTelarcWith Ernest Ranglin
2004Live at the IridiumTelarcMost tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Mark Taylor (drums); some tracks quartet, with Robert Thomas Jr. (percussion) added; in concert
2005Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob MarleyTelarc
2008The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs of Tony Bennett CheskyTrio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums)
2009Calypso Blues: The Songs of Nat King Cole CheskyTrio, with Lorin Cohen (bass), George Fludas (drums)
2007–2010Uplift [9] Jazz LegacyMost tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Herlin Riley (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert
2011Love Me Tender Venus Trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Willie Jones III (drums)
2011Harlem-Kingston Express Motéma In concert
2013Uplift 2Jazz LegacyMost tracks trio, with John Clayton (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums); some tracks trio, with Hassan Shakur (bass), Frits Landesbergen (drums); in concert
1988–2013Harlem-Kingston Express, Vol. 2: The River Rolls OnMotéma
2017Road DogMACDThis is Monty Alexander's own label
2019Wareika Hill: Rasta-Monk VibrationsMACD

Compilations

Year recordedTitleLabelNotes
1998The Concord Jazz Heritage SeriesConcord
2000Ballad EssentialsConcord
2000Island GroovesConcordCompilation of Jamboree + Ivory & Steel
2002Triple ScoopConcordCompilation of Triple Treat + Triple Treat II + Triple Treat III
2003Straight AheadConcordCompilation of Overseas Special + Trio
2004Steaming HotConcordCompilation of Full Steam Ahead + Steamin'
2005Jazz Calypso: Monty Alexander Caribbean Best JVC
2007Alexander The Great: Monty Swings On MPSMPS /Universal4-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

With Ernest Ranglin

With Milt Jackson

With Ray Brown

With Tony Bennett

With others

Filmography

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  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. ↑ Nicholson, Stuart (1990), Jazz: The Modern Resurgence, Simon & Schuster, ISBN   978-0671710125, p. 89.
  6. ↑ "Musgrave Awardees". Institute of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "11th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced!" Independent Music Awards, 2 May 2012. Retrieved on 4 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "An OJ for Monty". Jamaica Observer . 7 January 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Monty Alexander UPLIFT 2. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Monty Alexander | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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