CaribPR Wire

Legendary Jamaican Jazz Musician Monty Alexander.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Dec. 19, 2014: In what has now become a holiday tradition at Washington, D.C.’s most jazz club, Grammy and Soul Train-nominated Jamaican jazz musician, Monty Alexander, will return to Blues Alley to ring out the old year and ring in the new.

Alexander returns to the famous jazz club at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., for the third consecutive year, with a jazz performance that is certain to leave his audience yearning for more.

The legendary Caribbean Piano-man will be presenting his “Uplift” show from December 26^th to the 29^th. On December 30^th and New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31^st, he will be joined by his band “Harlem Kingston Express” to add some Caribbean flavor to the shows.

“If you are in the D.C. area you will want to make your New Year’s Eve date night at Blues Alley,” Alexander commented. “It’s going to be a jazz party that will undoubtedly leave you dancing and uplifted and ready for 2015, so ensure you get your tickets early.”

For reservations log on here or to http://bluesalley.com/events.cfm.

The Full Show Schedule Is As Follows:

Friday – 12/26 – 8 and 10 p.m.

Saturday – 12/27 – 8 and 10 p.m.

Sunday – 12/28 – 8 and 10 p.m.

Monday – 12/29 – 8 and 10 p.m.

Tuesday – 12/30 – 8 and 10 p.m.

Wednesday – 12/31 – 6:30 and 10:00 p.m.

In a career spanning five decades, Alexander has built a reputation exploring the worlds of American jazz, popular song and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression.

With 70 recordings under his belt, he has performed with renowned artists including Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett among numerous others.

In 2012, ‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy nomination. In 2014 ‘Harlem Kingston Express Vol. 2’ was nominated for a Soul Train award.

Alexander maintains a rigorous touring schedule worldwide, from jazz clubs to concert halls and playing at Jazz Festivals.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616 (phone)

[email protected](email)

Monty Alexander's will ‘star’ in "Jazz around the West Indies" at the Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in New York City from Sept 17-21, 2014.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. September 8, 2014: From Grammy nominee to Commander in the Order of Distinction and Caribbean American Heritage Luminary, Jamaica’s virtuoso, Monty Alexander, has achieved them all in his more than five decade career. This September, Alexander will add another stripe to his lengthy portfolio as he ‘stars’ in “Jazz around the West Indies” at the Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York City.

Alexander and his award-winning group, the Harlem Kingston Express, are set to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center show from September 17-21 in the five-day series that is a first for the legendary New York City jazz venue.

“I’m urging all my West Indian fans to come on down to Dizzy’s and experience this unique showcase of genre-and culture-blending music that is evocative of our Caribbean region,” said Alexander. “It will be a West Indian party in the shadows of Central Park.”

Reservations for the historic show at Broadway and 60th Street on the 5th Floor in Manhattan can be obtained here or by logging on directly to http://dizzys.jalc.org/index.php?option=com_dizzyclub&view=performances&event_id=12895. Show times nightly are 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. For bookings call 212-258-9595. Tickets are  $40 nightly and $45 for the Saturday night performance.

Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica. With 70 recordings under his belt, he has performed globally with renowned artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett among numerous others.

In August 2000 the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. And in 2012, ‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination.

In the summer of 2012, Alexander was also awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz,” while in November of the same year, he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C. His ‘Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On,’ was released in April on the Motéma Music label and remained for weeks at number one the Jazz radio charts.

ALEXANDER’S 2014 TOUR SCHEDULE

September 13 – Salt Lake City, Utah, Jazz at the Capitol Theater w/ Harlem Kingston Express

October 7 – Knoxville, TN, Bijou Theatre

October 8 – Roswell, NM, The Liberty

November 8 – Cape May, NJ, Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

November 14 – France, Conilhac Festival de Jazz, w/Trio

November 15 – Bordeaux, France, Bordeaux Auditorium, w/Trio

Dec. 26-31 – Washington, DC, Blues Alley.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616 (phone)

felicia at caribpr dot com (email)

Monty Alexander’s Seattle performance will comes on the heels of the release of his new album Harlem-Kingston Express 2-The River Rolls.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon July 21, 2014: With his new album riding high on the Jazz radio charts, Grammy-nominated international jazz pianist, Monty Alexander, will roll into The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, Washington aboard the Harlem-Kingston Express this July 24th for a three-night performance.

The Jamaican-born musical virtuoso and his band will perform through July 27^th and will be treating fans to some of the latest tracks from his new album, ‘Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On,’ which was released on April 8^th on the Motéma Music label and has remained for seven weeks at number one the Jazz radio charts.

“We are bringing my birthday party to Seattle,” commented Alexander who turned 70 in June. “The band and I look forward to treating fans to some of the latest from the new album such as “Love Notes,” with my friends George Benson, Ramsey Lewis and Joe Sample; a live version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” recorded live in 2005 with vocalist Wendel Ferraro; previously unreleased live recordings of the Jamaican folk song “Linstead Market;” “Regulator (Reggae-Later),” as well as  a mix of interpretations including “People Make the World Go Round,” “What’s Going On” (“Wa’a Gwan”) and Jimmy Cliff’s reggae landmark “The Harder They Come.”

Alexander will be joined for the Seattle performance by band members Hassan Shakur (acoustic bass), Dennis Mackrel (drums), Andy Bassford (guitar), Joshua Thomas (electric bass) and Karl Wright (drums/percussion).

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. on July 24^th through 26^th for two nightly performances – at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., respectively.  On Sunday July 27^th, Alexander and the Harlem-Kingston Express will only perform at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.50 per performance. To reserve your seat today, log on here or to http://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=1403

Seattle’s Jazz Alley is a fixture of the Seattle live music and dining scene, family-owned and operated since 1979.

ALEXANDER’S 2014 TOUR SCHEDULE

August 1 – Telluride, CO, Telluride Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 2-3 – Denver, CO, Dazzle Jazz w/ Monty Alexander

August 7 – Vail, CO, Vail Jazz Festival w/ Monty Alexander Trio

August 8-9 – Aspen, CO, Aspen JazzSnowman w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 10 – San Jose, CA, San Jose Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 30 – Easton, MD, 6th Annual Monty Alexander Jazz Festival

September 13 – Salt Lake City, UT, Capitol Theatre w/ Harlem Kingston Express

November 8 – Cape May, NJ, Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

ABOUT MONTY ALEXANDER

In a career spanning five decades and with 70 recordings under his belt, Alexander has built a reputation that bridged the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica to create his own musical brand.

His collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations and he has performed globally with renowned artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett among numerous others.

In August 2000 the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. And in 2012, ‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination.

In the summer of 2012, Alexander was also awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz” while in November of the same year, he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616 (phone)

[email protected](email)

Monty Alexander’s Brooklyn performance will come just days before he releases his new album.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Sun. Mar. 23, 2014: Just 11 days before award-winning, New York-based artist Monty Alexander releases his new album, the jazz virtuoso is set for a scintillating performance at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College.

The Jamaican-born, Grammy-nominated performer and his band Harlem-Kingston Express are set to raise the roof in the Caribbean-populated borough of Brooklyn on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 8 p.m.

“We are bringing a party that will fuse the smooth sounds of jazz classics with the infectious rhythms of reggae to create a singular sound unlike any other for our fans at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts this weekend,” said Alexander, whose ‘Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On’ album will be released on April 8^th on the Motéma Music label.

Tickets to see Alexander and the Harlem-Kingston Express are $40 for orchestra and $30 for the mezzanine level and can be purchased by phone at 718-951-4500 between Tues-Sat, 1 -6 p.m. or online at BrooklynCenterOnline.org.

Hailed as “an effervescent pianist and one of Jamaica’s proudest musical exports” by the New York Times, Alexander will take the Harlem Kingston Express on the road beginning this June for a 12-city tour that will include New York to Washington, D.C., Seattle, Colorado, California, Maryland and New Jersey.

His new album encapsulates the many moments in Alexander’s remarkable career and finds him returning to its earlier stages: both his teenage years, when he played on sessions helmed by pioneering reggae producers Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Duke Reid and Chris Blackwell, and his first decades in the U.S., when he had the occasion to record and perform with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Milt Jackson and Ray Brown, among countless others.

The album features  “Love Notes,” with Alexander and his friends George Benson, Ramsey Lewis and Joe Sample; a live version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” recorded live in 2005 with vocalist Wendel Ferraro; previously unreleased live recordings of the Jamaican folk song “Linstead Market;” Alexander’s “Regulator (Reggae-Later),” as well as  a mix of interpretations including “People Make the World Go Round,” “What’s Going On” (“Wa’a Gwan”) and Jimmy Cliff’s reggae landmark “The Harder They Come.”

2014 TOUR SCHEDULE

June 12 – New York, NY – B.B. King Blues Club w/ Harlem Kingston Express

June 13 – Washington, D.C., Howard Theater w/ Harlem Kingston Express

July 24-27 – Seattle, WA, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 1 – Telluride, CO, Telluride Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 2-3 – Denver, CO, Dazzles w/ Monty Alexander Trio

August 7 – Vail, CO, Vail Jazz Festival w/ Monty Alexander Trio

August 8-9 – Aspen, CO, Aspen JazzSnowman w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 10 – San Jose, CA, San Jose Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

August 30 – Easton, MD, 6th Annual Monty Alexander Jazz Festival

September 13 – Salt Lake City, UT, Capitol Theatre w/ Harlem Kingston Express

November 8 – Cape May, NJ, Jazz Festival w/ Harlem Kingston Express

ABOUT MONTY ALEXANDER

In a career spanning five decades and with 70 recordings under his belt, Alexander has built a reputation that bridged the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica to create his own musical brand.

His collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations and he has performed globally with renowned artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, legendary bassist Ray Brown, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett among numerous others.

In August 2000 the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. And in 2012, ‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination.

In the summer of 2012, Alexander was also awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz” while in November of the same year, he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit montyalexander.com or follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or on Twitter at @montyHKE.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616 (phone)

[email protected](email)

Monty Alexander brings a special blend of jazz to each performance. (Crush Boone image)

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Feb. 18, 2014:  Jazz great and Jamaican-born Commander in the Order of Distinction, Monty Alexander, is set to bring a musical wave of sunshine to the Peach State this Saturday.

Described as “one of the most eclectic pianists you’ll ever hear” by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Alexander will play the famed Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia this Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 8:15 P.M.

Spivey Hall is renowned internationally for its superb acoustics, is home to the award-winning Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and Spivey Hall Young Artists and has become one of the places to play on the American classical and jazz music circuits.

The Grammy-nominated musician says he hopes the thousands of Caribbean nationals in Atlanta will come out as well this Saturday to enjoy the musical blend he will be offering – a unique blend of traditional jazz coupled with the contemporary Caribbean up-tempo reggae blend that has made him popular around the globe.

Atlanta jazz fans can get tickets here now or by logging on directly to https://itkt.choicecrm.net/templates/CLAY/

ABOUT MONTY ALEXANDER

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others.

Alexander’s collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations. His projects have been as varied as assisting Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991 (the resulting album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards), performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and recording the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s Bird, a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. Two collections were released in 2011 that capture the excitement of Monty Alexander’s live performances around the world: Uplift, a trio album on JLP Records, and Harlem-Kingston Express on Motema Music.

‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination in 2012.

In the summer of 2012, Alexander was awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz” and in November 2012 he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

Jazz Great Monty Alexander.

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Dec. 23, 2013:  On the heels of his London Jazz Festival performance, Grammy-nominated international jazz pianist, the legendary Jamaican-born Monty Alexander, will catch a good case of the “blues” beginning next week and lasting into January 2014.

Alexander, who is gearing up for the release of his “Harlem Kingston Express 2,” next year, will begin the “blue-bration” with his annual holiday performance at the legendary Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., from December 27th through the 31st.

Blues Alley has earned rave reviews globally for showcasing internationally renowned concert hall artists in a small intimate setting and for the past two years, Alexander has been the act booked to ring in the New Year. Tickets for this show are in demand so book early.

Show times nightly will be 8 and 10 p.m.  For a full schedule of Alexander’s performance and to book advance tickets log on to http://www.bluesalley.com/events.cfm.

THE BLUE NOTE

Alexander will continue his musical celebration with a historic performance in January 2014 at New York’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club, under the theme, “A History of Jamaican Music – Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady and Jazz.”

“This show will be one of the most incredible that I have ever been a part of,” commented Jamaica’s acclaimed Piano Man. “It will truly be called a musical presentation of the history of reggae and Jamaican music!”

The New York performance at the legendary jazz club will run from January 13^th for one night only before returning for six consecutive nights, from January 21^st with vocalist, Caterina Zapponi & the Pizzarellis on guitars and bass and John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton from the 22^nd to the 24th . All of the artists will be backed by Alexander’s Grammy-nominated band, the Harlem-Kingston Express.

HISTORY OF REGGAE

“A History Of Reggae,” will take the show to higher heights on January 25^th and 26th and will not only feature Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction and ‘Luminary Award’ 2012 recipient, Alexander, but Ernest Ranglin, Jamaica’s Master of the Guitar and the pioneer and innovator of reggae and Jamaican music; and the new Prince of Reggae and Jamaica’s most buzzed about reggae act, Chronixx.

Ranglin played guitar on many early ska recordings in Jamaica and helped create the rhythmic guitar style that defined the music form. He has worked with Jimmy Cliff, The Skatalites and the late great Robert Nesta Marley and is a known for a chordal and rhythmic approach that blends jazz, mento and reggae with percussive guitar solos incorporating rhythm ‘n’ blues and jazz inflections. In 2008 Ranglin was inducted into the Jamaican Music Hall of Fame by the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA).

Chronixx, born Jamar McNaughton, 21, has been lauded recently as reggae’s next superstar. The first single from his “Dread and Terrible” EP, “Here Comes Trouble” recently topped the BBC’s digital urban station Radio 1Xtra chart, is in rotation on Sirius XM’s reggae channel.

Show times on January 13^th and January 21-26^th at the Blue Note will be 8 and 10:30 p.m. For more and to make reservation, log on to http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=11634

ABOUT MONTY ALEXANDER

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others.

Alexander’s collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations. His projects have been as varied as assisting Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991 (the resulting album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards), performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and recording the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s Bird, a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. Two collections were released in 2011 that capture the excitement of Monty Alexander’s live performances around the world: Uplift, a trio album on JLP Records, and Harlem-Kingston Express on Motema Music.

‘Harlem Kingston Express: Live!,’ was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination in 2012.

In the summer of 2012, Alexander was awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz” and in November 2012 he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

Jamaican-Born Jazz Great, Monty Alexander.

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Aug. 6, 2013:  Monty Alexander, Jamaica’s legendary, international jazz pianist, will celebrate the 51^st independence anniversary of his homeland with a return to Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York City from August 14-18, 2013.

Alexander and his Grammy-nominated Harlem-Kingston Express band,  will soar with his positive vibrations of ‘One Love and Upliftment several stories above the expansive vista of Central Park at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in the Time Warner building, 10 Columbus Circle in New York City.

Show times each day are at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., respectively.

The musician, whose 50^th anniversary album, “Harlem-Kingston Express: Live!” was nominated for a Reggae Grammy and won rave reviews from The Wall Street Journal, The London Evening Standard and Jazz Times among dozens of other media houses, will return to his home state of New York from performances  in Seattle, WA.

Tickets for The Dizzy’s show are $40-45 and can be obtained by logging on here or to https://jalc.org/dizzys/events/event/av-136063#.UcSCc5wmwdo

“This is a celebration of my Jamaican roots and of Jamaica’s 51^st anniversary of independence and I look forward to seeing my Caribbean music fans in the house,” said Alexander. “My band and I will be celebrating the vibes of one love and positive upliftment.”

Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction and ‘Luminary Award’ 2012 recipient, will next head to Ozawa Hall in Lenox, Massachusetts for an August 25^th performance and celebrate Labor Day Weekend, August 29^th to September 1^st with the ‘Monty Alexander Jazz Festival’ in Easton, Maryland.

About Monty Alexander

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others.

Alexander’s collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations. His projects have been as varied as assisting Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991 (the resulting album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards), performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and recording the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s Bird, a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Monty Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. Two collections were released in 2011 that capture the excitement of Monty Alexander’s live performances around the world: Uplift, a trio album on JLP Records, and Harlem-Kingston Express on Motema Music.

Harlem Kinston Express: Live! was singled out by both the recording industry and fans and received a Grammy award nomination in 2012.

In the summer of 2012 Monty Alexander was awarded the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz” and in November 2012 he received the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C. For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

D.C. – June 20th-23^rd; PA – June 28^th; Rochester, NY – June 29th

Jamaican-born, jazz great, Monty Alexander. (Photo credit: A. Nahigian)

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Mon., June 17, 2013: Grammy-nominated, Jamaican-born jazz great, Monty Alexander is on a mission in his 51^st year of music – taking his “Uplift” rhythm to as many fans as possible across the U.S. and around the world.

Fresh from headlining the Dominica Creole Music Festival in the Caribbean, Alexander and his Grammy-nominated band, The Harlem Kingston Express, will bring their foot-tapping, hip swinging jazz to Washington, D.C.’s prestigious club, Blues Alley at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, from June 20^th through 23^rd.

The performance at 8 and 10 p.m. nightly comes as Alexander’s new album release “Uplift 2” on the JLP label, remains on the Jazz charts amidst rave reviews.

Tickets for the shows are $40 and can be bought online at http://www.bluesalleylive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=278567D9-D3AC-41FC-D138A9D50A1510B2

“I look forward to having another opportunity to play with my ensemble, Harlem-Kingston Express, for my long-time, faithful friends, as well as new friends who may visit with us,” said Alexander. “I and my colleagues will be celebrating our ‘One Love’ experience as well as the ‘Joy of Life.’”

From D.C., Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction and The Harlem Kingston Express will head to Allegheny, PA for a free performance at the South Park Amphitheater from 7:30 p.m. on June 28^th.

He will end Caribbean American Heritage Month in Rochester, NY at the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 29^th from 9 p.m. where he is one of the headliners at the free show, set for the City of Rochester East Avenue & Chestnut Street Stage.

For more see http://www.rochesterjazz.com/artist_lineup/?artist_id=934.

About Monty Alexander

Over his stellar career, Alexander, whose influence combines that of Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Nat “King” Cole, has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

In fact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of 17.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

Bags introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

Jamaican-Born Jazz Great, Monty Alexander. (Photo credit: A. Nahigian)

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. May 1, 2013: Birdland Jazz Club will be springing to life this May, as Grammy-nominated artist Monty Alexander and his Grammy-nominated band, The Harlem Kingston Express, returns with their foot-tapping, hip swinging Caribbean infused jazz.

The Jamaican-born, Caribbean-raised jazz great, who recently released his new album and entered his 51^st year as a musician, will play New York’s premier live music venue, Birdland, at 315 West 44th Street in New York City, from May 7^th to 11^th at 8:30 and 11 p.m. nightly.

The performance comes as Alexander’s new album release “Uplift 2” on the JLP label, sits at #4 on the Jazz charts. Tickets for Birdland are $30-40 and can be obtained by logging on here or to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/243141-monty-alexander-harlem-new-york/

“I look forward to having another opportunity to play with my ensemble, Harlem-Kingston Express, in one of the finest music venues in the world – Birdland – for my long time faithful friends, as well as new friends who may visit with us,” said Alexander. “I and my colleagues will be celebrating our One Love experience as well as the Joy of Life.”

The musician, whose 50^th anniversary album, “Harlem-Kingston Express: Live!” was nominated for a Reggae Grammy and won rave reviews from The Wall Street Journal, The London Evening Standard and Jazz Times among dozens of other media houses, is fresh from performances  at the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Boston’s legendary Scullers Jazz Club.

Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction and ‘Luminary Award’ 2012 recipient, will next head to the nature isle of Dominica for the first time, where he will headline the increasingly popular, Dominica Jazz ‘n Creole Festival on May 19^th at the Cabrits National Park.

Following his Dominica debut, Alexander, will again join his Harlem Kingston Express to bring his brand of jiving jazz, to Washington, D.C.’s popular Blues Alley from June 20th to 23^rd and Pittsburgh, PA on June 28^th at the South Park Band Shell.

He and his band will wrap up the first half of 2013 in Rochester, NY with a scintillating performance at the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 29th. For more see http://www.rochesterjazz.com/artist_lineup/?artist_id=934.

Monty’s Other 2013 Performance Dates:

Dominica, W.I. – Dominica Jazz ‘n Creole Festival – May 19^th.

Washington, D.C. – Blues Alley – June 20^th to 23^rd.

Pittsburgh, PA – South Park Band Shell – June 28^th.

Rochester, NY – Rochester International Jazz Festival – June 29^th.

About Monty Alexander

Over his stellar career, Alexander, whose influence combines that of Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Nat “King” Cole, has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

In fact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of 17.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

Bags introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

Master pianist, Monty Alexander, in performance mode.

 

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 12, 2012: Monty Alexander and the Harlem Kingston Express is bringing a celebration to Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York City next month, as the party to mark Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence and the Grammy Award nominee’s 50^th year in music, continues.

"Monty Alexander – Harlem Kingston Express – Continuing The Celebration Of Jamaica’s 50th Year Of Independence And Monty’s 50th Year In Music," returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s at Broadway and 60th Street in New York City for five nights of musical festivity from November 20th-25^th.

Concerts, featuring the Jamaican-born Commander of Distinction’s Caribbean musical roots combined with his American jazz influence, will be held at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each night. The Thanksgiving Day show will be marked by a special treat with a top Caribbean number from Alexander so after feasting on turkey and other delicacies, fans can dance it off with Alexander and the Harlem Kingston Express.

“I’m inviting all my fans to come one last time to celebrate my 50^th and Jamaica’s 50^th before we bid adieu to 2012,” said Alexander.

Tickets for the Thursday, Friday and Sunday night shows are $35 each while Saturday night tickets are $45 per person. Students with valid identification will be able to enjoy the show for $15 per ticket.

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, one of the three main performance venues located in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, produces world-class jazz performances nightly.  The intimate 140-seat jazz club is set against a glittering backdrop with spectacular views of Central Park.

To make your reservations, book now at http://jalc.org/events/event/av-124809#.UIW4jVHhc2k or call 212-721-6500 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 11am-1 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

Alexander has been dubbed “a masterly pianist who delights audiences everywhere” by the London Evening Standard since the release of his two collections – ‘Uplift,’ a trio album on JLP Records, and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ on Motema Music – last year.  Between ‘Uplift’ and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express,’ Monty Alexander has officially dominated the US Radio Charts with three number 1 spots, all in the summer of 2011. ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category this past February.

Last July Alexander performed at the Stuttgart Jazz Festival in Germany where he received the "German Jazz Trophy – A Life In Jazz."  He then traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa for two concerts at the Johannesburg Joy of Jazz Festival and performed at the 4th edition of the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival in Easton, MD. 

And only 2 weeks ago he played a solo piano concert in South Korea for an open air audience of 6,000 people.  Alexander will travel to Washington, D.C. on November 16th to receive the Caribbean Heritage Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies and travel from Washington to Miami where he is slated to play as the headliner for the first Miami Jazz Fest on November 18th.

Following his five night performance at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola he will perform at a major concert with international special guests set for December 16th in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

See Monty in performances here or visit www.montyalexander.com to stay abreast of his upcoming scheduled performances and latest news.

CaribPR Wire, QUEEN, NY, Mon. May 7, 2012: The legendary pianist Monty Alexander, a true son of Jamaica, and his friends Dean Fraser and Tarrus Riley, will perform at a benefit concert on his birthday, June 6, 2012, at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, New York City.  This Birthday Bash will also commemorate Monty’s 50 years in music and the 50^th anniversary of the independence of Jamaica from Great Britain.

Monty Alexander’s legacy of musical excellence bridges the worlds of Jazz and Jamaican music with over 70 albums and an international following of dedicated fans.  Reggae stars, Dean Fraser and Tarrus Riley, will join Monty on the Merkin Concert Hall stage for this happy occasion. 

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Heartbeats of the World, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that serves to enrich the lives of children, adolescents, and women in Jamaica, WI by providing educational opportunities to address poverty and unemployment.  The concert will also celebrate the tenth anniversary of Heartbeats of the World, which was founded by its President, Dr. Karlene ChinQuee.

Mr. Alexander was first approached by Pat Chin, founder of VP Records, to volunteer his services to the Heartbeats’ charity.  Speaking for the Board of Directors of Heartbeats, Mrs. Chin  said: “We thank Monty, Dean and Tarrus for their generous donation of time and talent to such a worthy cause; we all look forward to celebrating Monty’s birthday.” 

Tickets are now on sale at Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67^th Street, New York, NY 10023, (212) 501-3330; kaufman-center.org/mch.  For VIP tickets call (212) 506-1718.

Monty Alexander (Crush Boone Photo)

Carib PR Wire, New York, NY: Grammy Award nominee and jazz great, the scintillating Monty Alexander, is set to take one of New York’s premier jazz venues by storm later this month as he marks the 50th year of his musical career with a multiple genre celebration.

The Jamaican-born Commander of Distinction will marry his Caribbean musical roots with his American jazz influence and expertise as he plays the renowned Blue Note Jazz Club for two weeks – from February 20th to March 4th.

The musician will take fans back on a 50-year musical journey – from his homeland of Jamaica where he first learnt to play the piano as a child and later fell in love with the island’s music of reggae and ska as well as the music of neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, to his American experience after moving to the U.S. as an immigrant in 1961 at the age of 17.

That journey for Alexander, who says he plays music for the joy of playing, will include reflections from the famed New York City nightclub, Jilly’s, that Frank Sinatra called his favorite bistro. Jilly’s was ‘the place’ where many showbiz greats performed and was frequented by jazz greats like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson. The two-week celebration will also showcase an insight into the man who assisted Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991, on the album, ‘Unforgettable.’ That album won seven Grammy awards. Fans will also be able to see the side of Alexander that featured during his performances with George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and his recording of the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s ‘Bird,’ a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

‘The Monty Alexander Festival at the Blue Note,’ which is being dubbed, “The Full Monty,” will feature the top jazz musician along with several specially invited guest artists.

The first week of the Monty Alexander “One Love Train Ride,” will see performances from Jamaican guitar sensation Ernest Ranglin; Trinidad’s Othello Molineaux, as well as American jazz greats, including Freddie Cole, Nat King Cole’s youngest brother who just turned eighty and whose live performance is a rare treasure; Tony Award-winning Jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater; jazz vocalist, bass and drum duo John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton; jazz guitar genius Pat Martino; Jennifer Hatrswick, guitarist Russell Malone; bassist Christian McBride and organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith.

During week two, Alexander will take the audience as the conductor of the ‘Harlem Kingston Express Train’ to the Caribbean, as he celebrates his heritage and appreciation of both Jamaica, the land of his birth and the steel pan music of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Fans will be able to experience a festival of genres that will travel from the early years of mento, ska, rock steady to reggae and pan music. The special invited guest performers are a Who’s Who of Caribbean artists and include vocalists – Grammy-winning singer, Shaggy; Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, Taurus Riley, Dean Fraser and Diana King as well as Trinidad and Tobago singer, Designer.

Alexander has been dubbed “a masterly pianist who delights audiences everywhere” by the London Evening Standard since the release of his two collections – ‘Uplift,’ a trio album on JLP Records, and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ on Motema Music – last year.  Between ‘Uplift’ and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express,’ Monty Alexander has officially dominated the US Radio Charts with three number 1 spots, all in the summer of 2011. ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category at the Feb. 12^th event.

Hear more from Monty here or for more information visit www.montyalexander.com.

 For tickets to the Feb 20^th to March 4^th concerts at 8 and 10:30 p.m. each night, click here:

About The Blue Note:

Since its inception in 1981, The Blue Note has become one of the premier jazz clubs in the world and a cultural institution in Greenwich Village. Owner and founder Danny Bensusan had a vision to create a jazz club in Greenwich Village that would treat deserving artists with respect, while allowing patrons to see the world’s finest jazz musicians in a close, comfortable setting. Artists who had stopped playing in jazz clubs decades before, such as Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Tito Puente, soon called Blue Note home. Located between 6th and McDougal St., Blue Note offers music every night at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

CaribPR, New York, NY, Fri. June 17, 2011:  With his latest album, “Uplift,” in the number one spot for a second consecutive week on US Jazz Radio, jazz great Monty Alexander will continue to celebrate his 50^th year in music with performances on the West Coast later this month.

Alexander, who has won raving reviews for his latest album from The Wall Street Journal, The London Evening Standard and Jazz Times to name a few, will play Yoshi Jazz Club in the Fillmore district of San Francisco, California on June 22^nd and Anthology, San Diego’s acclaimed new live music venue, on June 23^rd.

“This engagement continues my series of concerts to mark my 50th year in music,” commented Alexander. “It gives me a special opportunity to look back musically to 1961 and my first jobs in Kingston, Jamaica, with my first group, Monty and the Cyclones and the recordings I did for Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reed. I also look forward to reflecting musically on adventures I had through the years with, among others, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown and other legends of Jazz.”

Show time at Yoshi’s on Wednesday June 22nd is at 8 pm and show time at Anthology on Thursday June 23rd is at 7:30 pm Tickets can be obtained for the Yoshi San Francisco Jazz performance by logging on to http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1874 and for Anthology on June 23^rd at http://artists.anthologysd.com/jazz-pianist/monty-alexander-trio-june-23-2011/

From California, Alexander, whose album has been called “a joy” by Jazz Times, will move on to Colorado for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass on June 24 and a tour of Europe from June 27^th to July 27^th. 

The performance will come following Alexander’s return appearance in New York City from June 14^th-19^th at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center. Alexander and The Harlem Kingston Express will perform two shows there at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. nightly. For more on this event log on to http://jalc.org/dccc/bydate_fall09_final.asp.

The Jamaican-born Commander of Distinction, dubbed “a masterly pianist who delights audiences everywhere” by the London Evening Standard, recently wrapped up a performance at the first annual Reggae Jazz Fusion show on May 22, 2011 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida and received the honor of having May 22, 2011 proclaimed Monty Alexander Day in Broward County, Florida by Commissioner Dale Holness.

The ‘Uplift’ album from Alexander and Jazz Legacy Productions includes such pieces as “Come Fly With Me,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Body and Soul” and “Home.” It will be preceded by “MOTÉMA: Monty Alexander: Harlem-Kingston Express,” coming soon to a store near you.

Over his stellar career, the Kingston-born musician, who has earned a place among the top five jazz artistes in Hal Leonard’s book, “The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of all Time,” has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

In fact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of seventeen.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

It was Bags who introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. 

His extraordinary contribution to jazz globally led to the Jamaican government awarding Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador in 2000. 

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

CaribPR, New York, NY, Fri., April 29, 2011: The heat in South Florida will meet the cool sounds of legendary jazz great Monty Alexander next month, as Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction continues the celebration of his 50^th year in the music business.

Alexander, who recently wrapped up a New York performance at the Birdland Jazz Club, is set for the first annual Reggae Jazz Fusion show on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.

The piano virtuoso will perform at the Special Sunday Night Concert that is being produced by Riddims Marketing.  He will share the stage with Maxi Priest, A.J. Brown and Eugene Gray.

‘Playing this concert in Miami is very special for me as this was the city where I first came from Jamaica and where I began as a professional, playing in many of the clubs there,” commented Alexander of the upcoming show. “It’s hard to believe that was in 1961, just 50 years ago. I look forward to May 22 when I and my brother musicians will stir up the good sounds to make it an uplifting evening for all.”

 Eddy Edwards, producer of the show said Alexander has been welcomed to the line-up since, “We wanted to celebrate his accomplishments over 50 years and expose him to those in the South Florida Caribbean Diaspora who may not know his works.”

 As for the show, Edwards added that he’s simply revisiting the real history of Jamaican music in this show and taking fans of both genres back to an era where ska or a fusion of jazz and reggae, was born.

For more on this event visit: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com. The performance comes on the heels of the release of ‘Uplift,‘ a new album from Alexander and Jazz Legacy Productions that includes such pieces as “Come Fly With Me,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Body and Soul” and “Home.”

The top musician will follow the South Florida performance with a return to New York from June 14^th-19^th at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center. Alexander and The Harlem Kingston Express will perform two shows there at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. nightly. For more on this event log on to http://jalc.org/dccc/bydate_fall09_final.asp.

Over his stellar career, the Kingston-born musician has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

Infact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of seventeen.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

It was Bags who introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. 

His extraordinary contribution to jazz globally led to the Jamaican government awarding Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador in 2000. 

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Dec. 21, 2010: It’s been half a century already since Jamaican-born jazz great, Monty Alexander, has been performing professionally.

The piano virtuoso will kick-off his 50^th anniversary celebration next month with a special five-night performance at the Birdland Jazz Club – 315 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues in New York City.

Alexander, declared one of the greatest jazz piano players of all time in Hal Leonard’s 2005 book, and with a whopping 60 albums under his belt, is set to thrill fans from Tuesday April 5^th to Saturday April 9^th with two nightly shows at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., respectively.

“This engagement is the first in a series of concerts in celebration of my 50th year in music,” commented Alexander. “It gives me a special opportunity to look back musically to 1961 and my first jobs in Kingston, Jamaica, with my first group, Monty and the Cyclones and the recordings I did for Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reed. I also look forward to reflecting musically on adventures I had through the years with, among others, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown and other legends of Jazz.”

The performance comes on the heels of the release of ‘Uplift,‘ a new album from Alexander and Jazz Legacy Productions that includes such pieces as “Come Fly With Me,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Body and Soul” and “Home.”

Over his stellar career, the Kingston-born musician has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

Infact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of seventeen.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

It was Bags who introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. 

His extraordinary contribution to jazz globally led tothe Jamaican government awarding Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador in 2000. 

Tickets for the April 5-9^th shows can be purchased by logging on http://www.birdlandjazz.com/calendar/ and clicking on the date of the performance you’d like to purchase tickets for the Alexander celebratory concerts.

And for more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 8, 2010: Renowned Jamaican-born jazz pianist, Monty Alexander, still remembers when he first saw the legendary Nat King Cole and  met Frank Sinatra. Cole’s musical impact on the younger Monty and his later musical experiences with Sinatra will come in to focus this month when Alexander reflects on both icons of America’s great songbook at a New York City show.

Alexander, Jamaica’s acclaimed Commander of Distinction, will present his “King Cole and Mr. S” reflections from November 23-25th at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. Show times for the three night shows will be at 8:30 and 11 p.m., respectively.

Accompanying Alexander will be his phenomenal group of Robert Thomas, Jr. on hand drums; Lorin Cohen on bass; Winard Harper on drums and Yotam Silberstein on guitar. The shows will be made even more special this fall season with the addition of a brilliant vocalist James De Frances, who is set to belt out favorites from both Cole and Sinatra to the accompaniment of Alexander and his ensemble.
Of course Alexander will also pay tribute to his roots by including some of his upbeat reggae-themed pieces for patrons attending the shows.

Alexander, who has the distinction of being named one of the greatest piano players in jazz, still remembers seeing Cole for the first time at age 12 at a theater in his native Jamaica, and being overtaken by the spirit of the singer and his music. 

It is that love, knowledge and dedication to the memory of Cole that would filter back to Cole’s daughter, Natalie, who invited him to assist her on the “Unforgettable” album.  The Sinatra connection was a lot more by chance. The largely self-taught pianist was playing in a Miami bar in his teens that was visited by Sinatra and his group of friends, including his right hand man, Jilly Rizzo. When Alexander ended his set he was approached by Rizzo and the legendary singer who invited him to play at the New York bistro, Jilly’s. Alexander moved to New York where he played on and off for several years, accompanying ‘Ole Blue Eyes’ on various occasions.

“The kid is a gas,” is how Sinatra, using the lingo at the time for “superb,” once described Alexander.

The Kingston-born musician has also performed with the likes of Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and on the “Concrete Jungle, The Music of Bob Marley collection,” over his five decade-long career.

He has recorded over 60 albums to date and is set to mark his 50th year in the music industry with a new album next year.  His 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. Alexander’s most recent albums on the Telarc label include trio sessions, such as “Impressions in Blue,” and the live concert recording “Goin’ Yard.” His release on Chesky is “Calypso Blues” is a tribute to his hero Nat Cole.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador. 

Tickets for Alexander’s shows on Tuesday-Thursday, November 23-25 at Birdland are $30 and $40, respectively and can be purchased by logging on to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/ or by calling (212) 581-3080.

For more on Jamaica’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 16, 2010: Renowned Jamaican jazz pianist and Jamaica’s acclaimed Commander of Distinction, Monty Alexander, is set to turn the heat up this summer in New York City with a five-day return to Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Alexander, who has the distinction of being named one of the greatest piano players in Jazz history, is set to bring his `Summer Celebration` to Dizzy’s Jazz Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center from Tuesday July 20^th to Sunday, July 25^th. 

The Kingston-born musician says that with his ensemble he looks forward to “bringing uplifting and positive Jamaican rhythms and vibrations in our current challenging times” to Lincoln Center next month and hopes that all jazz fans and Jamaicans will attend and experience his music in the incredible atmosphere at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.

Alexander, who has performed with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and on the “Concrete Jungle, The Music of Bob Marley collection,” will perform two shows per night, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., respectively.   

In a career spanning five decades, Alexander, a largely self-taught musician, has built a reputation for exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression.

He has recorded over 60 albums to date.  His 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. Alexander’s most recent albums on the Telarc label include trio sessions, such as Impressions in Blue, and the live concert recording Goin’ Yard.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.  His latest release on Chesky is Calypso Blues, a tribute to his hero Nat Cole.

Alexander’s Jazz at Lincoln Center performance comes on the heels of performances in Aspen, the UK and France, where he performed at several festivals including Jazz a Juan-les-Pins, the Vienne Jazz Festival, the Wigan Jazz Festival and Jazz Aspen.

Tickets for Monty Alexander’s Jazz at Lincoln Center show are $30 and $35 and $15 for students with valid identification. Fans can book now at http://www.opentable.com/dizzys-club-coca-cola-reservations-new-york?rid=3683

For more on Jamaica’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit http://www.montyalexander.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 12, 2010: One of the fifty greatest jazz piano players of all time, renowned Jamaican jazz pianist and Jamaica’s acclaimed Commander of Distinction, Monty Alexander, is set to thrill fans of the musical genre at a top New York City night club this Women’s History Month.

The Kingston-born musician, fresh from a performance in his homeland at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, is set to perform at the popular Birdland Jazz Club at 315 West 44^th Street, between 8^th and 9^th Avenues in New York City from March 2 to 6, 2010.

Alexander, who has performed with the likes of  Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare and on the `Concrete Jungle, The Music of Bob Marley collection,` will perform two shows per night, at 8:30 and 11 p.m., respectively.   

In a career spanning five decades, Alexander, a largely self-taught musician, has built a reputation for exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression.

He has recorded over 60 albums to date.  His 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. Alexander’s most recent albums on the Telarc label include trio sessions, such as Impressions in Blue, and the live concert recording Goin’ Yard.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.  His current release on Chesky is Calypso Blues, a tribute to his hero Nat Cole.

Tickets for Monty Alexander’s Birdland Jazz Club show are $30 for side-seating and $40 for center seating. Get tickets online now at http://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.venue&VenueID=68 by choosing the Monty Alexander show and your date of choice.

And for more on Jamaica’s greatest jazz pianist and his music, visit http://www.montyalexander.com/