Monty Alexander

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.

• Name — Monty Alexander • Honorific Prefix — The Honourable • Honorific Suffix — OJ CD • Landscape — yes • Birth Name — Montgomery Bernard Alexander • Born — 6 June 1944 • Birthplace — Kingston, Jamaica • Genre — Jazz, reggae, hard bop, straight-ahead jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Piano, melodica, vocals • Years Active — 1958–present • Label — Pacific Jazz, RCA, Verve, MPS, Motéma Music • Website — montyalexander.com

Alexander was born on 6 June 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica. 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. 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, 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. 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.

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

• 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 — 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

• 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'

With Ernest Ranglin • Ranglypso (MPS, 1974) • Below the Bassline (Island, 1996) • Rocksteady (Telarc, 2004) • Order of Distinction (Milk River Music, 2009) With Milt Jackson • That's the Way It Is (Impulse!, 1970) – live rec. 1969 • Just the Way It Had to Be (Impulse!, 1970) – live rec. 1969 • Montreux '77 with Ray Brown (Pablo Live, 1977) – live • A London Bridge (Pablo, 1982) • Mostly Duke (Pablo, 1982) • Memories of Thelonious Sphere Monk (Pablo, 1982) 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 • 1969 Quincy Jones and Bill Cosby, The Original Jam Sessions 1969 (Concord) • 1971 Quincy Jones, Smackwater Jack (A&M) • 1977 Dizzy Gillespie, Montreux '77: Dizzy Gillespie Jam (Pablo Live) • 1979 Phyllis Hyman, Somewhere in My Lifetime (Arista) • 1980 Marshal Royal, Royal Blue (Concord Jazz) • 1981 Ernestine Anderson, Never Make Your Move Too Soon (Concord Jazz) – rec. 1980 • 1983 Dieter Goal, Goal (Corona Music Jazz) – rec. 1982 • 1986 Jimmy Smith, Go for Whatcha' Know (Blue Note) • 1987 Barney Kessel, Spontaneous Combustion (Contemporary) • 1989 Lee "Scratch" Perry, Chicken Scratch (Heartbeat) • 1990 Howard Alden, Snowy Morning Blues (Concord Jazz) • 1991 Natalie Cole, Unforgettable... with Love (Elektra) • 1994 Benny Golson, That's Funky (Meldac Jazz) • 1994 The Skatalites, Hi-Bop Ska! (Shanachie) • 1996 Clifton Anderson, Landmarks (Milestone) • 1996 Mary Stallings, Manhattan Moods (Concord Jazz) • 1996 Toots Thielemans, Verve Jazz Masters #59 (Verve) – compilation • 2000 Clark Terry, One on One (Chesky) – rec. 1999 • 2000 Caterina Zapponi, Universal Lovesongs (Inak) • 2002 Kristian Jørgensen, Meeting Monty (Stunt) • 2003 V.A., A Tribute to Charlie Parker - Birdmen & Birdsongs Volume 1 (Storyville Films)[DVD-Video] • 2004 Harvey Mason, With All My Heart (BMG) • 2006 Chuck Redd, Chuck Redd Remembers Barney Kessel: Happy All the Time (Arbors) • 2008 Tony Bennett, A Swingin' Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band) (Columbia) • 2010 Bucky Pizzarelli, Back in the Saddle Again (Arbors) • 2010 Hilary Kole, You Are There: Duets (Justin Time) – rec. 2006–2010 • 2011 Etienne Charles, Kaiso (Culture Shock Music) • 2011 Grace Kelly and Phil Woods, Man With the Hat (Pazz Productions)

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