Artist:Monty Alexander
Song:Renewal
Album:The River
Because he was born and raised in Jamaica, jazz pianist Monty Alexander brings a Caribbean vibe to his music. He has recorded as a leader since the 60s. He likes to perform with a trio of piano, bass and drums. He was born June 6, 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica. He took piano lessons as a child. He got interested in jazz as a teen and played local clubs. He also played on sessions with pianist Aubrey Adams. Alexander moved with his family to Miami in 1961. While playing in a local club, Frank Sinatra came to see a Sinatra impersonator. Someone suggested Sinatra check out the pianist playing in the other room. Sinatra liked Alexander so much that he got his pal Jilly Rizzo to hire Alexander as house pianist for his New York club Jilly's. Alexander became friends with Ray Brown and Milt Jackson and he watched boxing with Miles Davis. Alexander signed with Pacific Jazz and made his recording debut in 1964. He also recorded for RCA and Verve. As a sideman, Alexander recorded with Milt Jackson and Quincy Jones. In the 70s he recorded for the German label MPS. This is when he started working with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Alexander signed with Concord in 1979. Most of his Concord albums were trios, most frequently with Herb Ellis and Ray Brown. He toured with Brown. Renewal is from the 1985 album The River with John Clayton on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. This song has become a standard part of Alexander's repertoire. The River is available as a budget CD. After Alexander left Concord, he recorded the 1996 reggae album Yard Movement for Island. He also recorded a Bob Marley tribute album for Telarc in 1999. Since Telarc closed, Alexander recorded for Chesky, Jazz Legacy and Motema. He now records for his own label and his latest album was released last year. Here's Monty Alexander with Hassan Shakur on bass and Obed Calvaire on drums performing Renewal at the 2011 San Javier Jazz Festival in Spain.
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