Jazz Articles about Monty Alexander

like 4

Monty Alexander: A Student of Joy

by Leo Sidran
October 28, 2026

For more than seven decades, pianist Monty Alexander has occupied a singular place in jazz, combining the swing and improvisational language of American jazz with the rhythms and musical traditions of his native Jamaica.Here Alexander traces his journey from Kingston recording sessions with ska pioneers to the New York jazz scene, where an unlikely connection with Frank Sinatra and Jilly Rizzo led to friendships and collaborations with some of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.

like 3

Monty Alexander: No Woman No Cry

by Geno Thackara
July 11, 2023

like 11

Monty Alexander: Love You Madly: Live at Bubba's

by Jim Worsley
February 3, 2021

Risk and reward is honored in the selection of this premium sound night club gig from nearly forty years ago. Just how such a recording is going to play in a current climate is tricky business. Is it vintage or is it outdated? Is it a fond remembrance or better left forgotten? The answers are of course in the ear of the beholder. Certainly, the spirit and energy play well in any time period. Jamaican born pianist Monty ...

like 4

Charleston Jazz Festival 2020

by Martin McFie
January 28, 2020

Various Venues Charleston Jazz Festival Charleston, SC January 23-26, 2020 Jazz Festivals are like people, six years old is still in infancy, but everything has to start somewhere. Historically, the city which gave birth to the Charleston dance craze and was the inspiration for Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, deserves The Charleston Jazz Festival. The first evening of music was given by local bands at Joe Clarke's recently opened Forte Jazz Lounge on King Street, where ...

like 1

Monty Alexander, Trombone Shorty, Bonerama And More

by Joe Dimino
November 24, 2019

This week we open with a titan in the world of jazz, Monty Alexander. He does his rendition of “Day O Banana Boat" and discusses his latest Monk album and so much more. We also feature a Frank Sinatra tune to memorialize a big moment in the life of Monty. From there, we focus on the world of New Orleans with a host of artists, from James Martin to his friend Trombone Shorty and back to a legend like Pete ...

like 1

Monty Alexander at the Avalon Theater

by Geno Thackara
September 10, 2019

Monty Alexander and Friends The Avalon Theater Easton, MD August 31, 2019 “Ten years," Monty Alexander wryly observed at the center-stage microphone with a disbelieving shake of the head. “Ten years of this festival, and 75 years as me." It was a celebration of multiple anniversaries at the weekend-long Labor Day jazz celebration that bears his name. The Jamaican pianist was in fine spirits talking about his most recent birthday milestone—more so than usual, that ...

like 9

Monty Alexander: Still Rolling

by Geno Thackara
July 19, 2019

If there's one defining quality to Monty Alexander's music, it's joy. An unmistakable undercurrent of happiness has been constant across several decades, dozens of recordings and countless performances all over the world. He could be honoring classic jazz balladeers, exploring the danceable “riddims" of his native Jamaica or anything in between, and you can always hear the spirit of celebration in there somewhere. Alexander turns out to be just as delightful and effusive in conversation as he is ...