Monty Alexander | Detroit Jazz Festival

What true joy to hear this man play!

Monty Alexander, born D-Day (June 6, 1944) in Kingston (Jamaica), has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe: Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Barbara Hendricks, Kevin Spacey, Tony Bennett, Sly and Robbie, Shaggy, among many others.

Alexander’s family moved to Miami (FL) in 1961. While playing in Las Vegas with Art Mooney’s orchestra in 1962, he caught the eye of Frank Sinatra and his friend, Jilly Rizzo. Rizzo hired the 18 year old pianist to work in his New York City club, Jilly’s. There he met Jazz greats Count Basie, Miles Davis, Errol Garner as well as Milt Jackson and Ray Brown with whom he toured and recorded and formed a lasting friendship.