CaribPR Wire

“Jamaica to Jazz” – A Signature Blend of Jazz & Jamaican Music | Saturday, February 21, 2026

Dr. Monty Alexander, C.D., O.J. to perform at The Moss Center in Miami (Jazz Baltica image)

CaribPR Wire, CUTLER BAY, FL, Feb. 6, 2026: This Black History Month, The Moss Center in Miami brings a living legend to its main stage as world-renowned, Jamaican-born pianist, Dr. Monty Alexander, C.D., O.J., headlines an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and legacy on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Titled ‘Monty Alexander: Jamaica To Jazz,’ the concert traces the electrifying journey of Jamaican music into global jazz – told through the hands of one of its original architects. From early ska sessions in Kingston’s first recording studios to international jazz stages alongside the greats, Alexander’s story is the story of Caribbean sound shaping the world. The moment is especially poignant as Alexander reflects on the legacy of Jamaica’s musical giants and the fragility of an era shaped by pioneers such as Jimmy Cliff, Third World co-founder Stephen “Cat” Coore and legendary drummer Sly Dunbar, whom he has recorded with in the past.

A Pioneer Who Helped Shape Modern Music

Born on June 6, 1944, in Kingston, Jamaica, Alexander’s musical journey began early. By the age of four, he was playing Christmas carols by ear, and by 14, he was performing in local clubs. As a teenager in late-1950s Jamaica, Alexander played in the island’s earliest recording studios and took part in the formative sessions that sparked ska – the rhythmic foundation that would later give rise to reggae.

At just 16, he already had recordings on the Jamaican hit parade before making the leap to the United States. He landed in Miami in 1962 and by 1963, at only 19, had moved to New York City, where he was soon captivating audiences at Jilly’s, the legendary club owned by Frank Sinatra’s close confidant, Jilly Rizzo. This led to a collaboration with Sinatra and later Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Wes Montgomery, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins. Sinatra eventually encouraged Alexander to join him in New York and his career took off.

For Alexander, jazz and Jamaican music are inseparable – intertwined in a signature sound that is joyful, improvisational, and steeped in history. During the Miami performance, he will use the opportunity to share personal stories from his journey as a pioneer of Jamaican music, offering audiences rare insight into the moments that shaped his extraordinary career.

A Legacy Beyond Compare
With more than 75 albums and performances at virtually every major jazz festival and venue worldwide, Alexander is widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time. He was named the fifth greatest jazz pianist in ‘The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time’ (Hal Leonard Publishing).

His honors include:

• Commander in the Order of Distinction (C.D.) – Jamaica, 2000.
• Order of Jamaica (O.J.) – 2022, for sterling global contributions to Jamaican music and jazz.
• Honorary Doctorate (DLitt) – University of the West Indies, 2018.

Music With A Mission: Hurricane Melissa Relief
During the performance, the Global Empowerment Mission, (GEM), will collect monetary donations to support Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica. Guests are encouraged to visit the GEM table in the lobby. The Moss Center will also collect canned goods and hygiene items, including:

• Canned: protein, vegetables, fruits, beans.
• Hygiene: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, wet wipes.

GEM’s Caribbean team, based in Kingston, has already deployed over one million pounds of emergency aid across the island and remains committed to long-term recovery.

Ticket Information

Ticket Prices: $35 – $65 or $80 VIP (includes premium table seating + complimentary wine, beer, or soft drink).

Get Tickets: https://tickets-smdcac.miamidade.gov/TheatreManager/1/login?event=2649 or by calling the Box Office: 786-573-5300

Discounts available for seniors, students, and groups and free parking is available on site.

All patrons, including infants, require a ticket; no outside food or beverages and no strollers are permitted inside the auditorium

Stay Connected With Monty

Keep up with Monty and his journey across stages worldwide:

• Facebook: facebook.com/officialmontyalexander
• Twitter/X: @_MontyAlexander
• Instagram: @monty.alexander
• YouTube & Official Website: montyalexander.com

MIAMI, March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health and the region’s largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular facility, has named Joseph T. McGinn, Jr., M.D., chief of Cardiac Surgery. Dr. McGinn specializes in the assessment and surgical treatment of patients with coronary artery, aortic and vascular disease.  A pioneer in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, he developed the minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting method known internationally as the “McGinn Technique.”

Dr. McGinn comes to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute from Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, part of Atrium HealthCare in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served as endowed chair of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and professor of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Prior to that appointment, he was a leading cardiac surgeon in New York City and served as medical director of the Heart Institute at Staten Island University Hospital for 16 years.

“Dr. McGinn is an expert physician and surgeon and an exceptional leader who has demonstrated excellence in patient care, innovation and team building,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., founder and chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. “He will complement our team of highly skilled experts, who are committed to achieving the same goals.”

Jack A. Ziffer, Ph.D., M.D., executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Baptist Health South Florida, added, “We are pleased to have Dr. McGinn join Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute in this leadership capacity to continue his groundbreaking work and further advance the Institute’s worldwide leadership position in the delivery of cardiovascular care.”

An accomplished educator, Dr. McGinn has trained hundreds of surgeons from around the world in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgical techniques. His clinical and research efforts have generated hundreds of presentations at scientific symposiums and publications in peer-reviewed medical journals and books. He has been recognized by the American Heart Association for excellence in medicine and received the Samuel L. Koontz Award for Clinical Excellence. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional societies.

Dr. McGinn earned his medical degree at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at SUNY Downstate, serving as chief resident. He also served as chief resident during a cardiothoracic surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care.

Dr. McGinn enjoys boating with his family and is an avid football fan. He has performed 1,500 MICS CABG cases.

About Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular facility in the region. The team of multilingual, multidisciplinary specialists pioneered the development of minimally invasive techniques used to treat aneurysms, blockages in veins and arteries and holes in the heart. The Institute leverages the power of Baptist Health’s combined resources of experts, pioneering research, compassionate caregivers and leading-edge treatments and technology.

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, more than 23,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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