Biography
Montgomery Bernard 'Monty' Alexander, born on June 6, 1944, in Kingston, Jamaica, displayed prodigious musical talent from a young age, playing Christmas carols by ear at four, entertaining neighbors by five, and taking formal piano lessons at six. By 14, he performed in local clubs and recorded early sessions with producers like Ken Khouri at Federal Records, marking the beginnings of ska alongside musicians such as Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, and Ernest Ranglin. In 1961, at age 17, he moved to Miami with his mother and soon relocated to New York City in 1963, where he established himself in the jazz scene, playing nightly at Jilly's club owned by Frank Sinatra's friend Jilly Rizzo, accompanying celebrities like Sinatra, Miles Davis, and Count Basie.[1][2][3][5][6]
Alexander's career flourished as he bridged his Jamaican roots with hard-swinging jazz, recording over 75 albums, including a dozen for the MPS label from 1971-1985 at Oscar Peterson's endorsement, and projects like the Grammy-nominated Harlem-Kingston Express, which fused acoustic jazz trios with Jamaican electric bass and drums. Key works include Stir It Up (1999) interpreting Bob Marley with reggae rhythm section Gumption alongside jazz musicians like Troy Davis and Hassan Shakur, and Yard Movement. He performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with Bobby McFerrin and orchestra at the 1996 Verbier Festival, contributed to soundtracks like Clint Eastwood's Bird (1988) and Quincy Jones' For Love of Ivy (1968), and played with legends including Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, and Ray Brown.[1][3][4][5][6]
Recognized as the fifth greatest jazz pianist by Hal Leonard Publishing, Alexander received Jamaica's Order of Distinction in 2000, Order of Jamaica in 2022, and an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 2018. A Grammy-nominated artist with a vibrant, groove-driven style blending Caribbean flavors, romantic melodies, and sophisticated swing, he continues touring worldwide, embodying a unique fusion that honors both heritages.[2][5]
Fun Facts
- Born on D-Day, June 6, 1944, the same day as the Normandy invasion.[3][6]
- Played on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood's Bird (1988), a biopic about Charlie Parker, and Quincy Jones' For Love of Ivy (1968).[3][6]
- Performed at Jilly's club for four years, entertaining Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Count Basie, and other icons until the early hours.[1][3][4]
- His early Jamaican recordings with Ken Khouri are considered the 'beginning of Ska.'[1][6]
Associated Acts
- The Monty Alexander Trio - eponymous, original
- Monty Alexander's Ivory & Steel - eponymous, piano
- Monty Alexander’s Jamaican Project - eponymous, original
- Dizzy Gillespie Jam - piano
- Tony Bennett Quartet - piano
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Oscar Peterson - Endorsed and recommended Alexander to MPS label owner (Led to 12 MPS albums) [1971-1985]
Key Collaborators
- Frank Sinatra - Accompanied at Jilly's club (Regular performances) [1963-1967]
- Ernest Ranglin - Early Jamaican recordings and later projects (Federal Records sessions; Yard Movement) [Late 1950s-1960s; later]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Recordings and band member in United Nations Orchestra (1977 Montreux Jazz Festival live album; UNO mid-1980s) [1977-1980s]
- Quincy Jones - Piano on film scores and albums (For Love of Ivy (1968); Smackwater Jack (1970)) [1968-1970]
- Bobby McFerrin - Conducted orchestra for solo performance (Rhapsody in Blue at Verbier Festival) [1996]
- Gumption (Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare) - Reggae rhythm section in hybrid jazz-reggae project (Stir It Up album) [1999]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rass | 1974 | Album |
| Stir It Up: The Music Of Bob Marley | 1999-05-25 | Album |
| Harlem-Kingston Express (Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NYC) | 2011-06-14 | Album |
| Here Comes the Sun | 2016-12-16 | Album |
| D Day | 2024-03-29 | Album |
| Concrete Jungle: The Music Of Bob Marley | 2006-03-28 | Album |
| Rocksteady | 2004-03-23 | Album |
| Untitled | 2014-08-11 | Album |
| Love Notes | 2022-08-19 | Album |
| Harlem-Kingston Express (Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NYC) | 2011-06-14 | Album |
| Monty Meets Sly And Robbie | 2000-04-25 | Album |
| Echoes Of Jilly's | 1997-01-01 | Album |
| Solo | 2006-05-30 | Album |
| Steaming Hot | 1985-01-01 | Album |
| Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On | 2014-08-04 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Love and Happiness (Rass)
- No Woman No Cry (Harlem-Kingston Express (Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NYC))
- Running Away (Stir It Up: The Music Of Bob Marley)
- Where Is Love (Here Comes the Sun)
- Here Comes the Sun (Here Comes the Sun)
- Kaya (Stir It Up: The Music Of Bob Marley)
- Stir It Up (Stir It Up: The Music Of Bob Marley)
- Just Friends (Untitled)
- Stalag 17 (Rocksteady)
- Jammin' (Stir It Up: The Music Of Bob Marley)
External Links
Tags: #jazz, #reggae
References
Heard on WWOZ
Monty Alexander has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 20:28 | Jammin'from Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley | Spirits of Congo Squarew/ Baba Geno | |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 17:45 | people make the world go roundfrom Monty Meets Slay and Robbie | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson | |
| Sep 21, 2025 | 21:23 | Jammin'from Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley | Spirits of Congo Squarew/ Baba Geno |