This Day in History: Monty Alexander
Key Points(5)
- <h2><strong>Monty Alexander</strong></h2> <strong>By: Cerone White</strong> On this day in Caribbean history, June 6, 1944, Montgomery “Monty” Bernard Alexander, a Jazz pianist, was born in Kingston, Jamaica,.
- The acclaimed singer and song writer discovered the piano at the age of four and at age six, after taking lessons in classical music, he became interested in Jazz.
- At fourteen Monty began showcasing his skills in the club scene and soon people started to take notice of his talent.
- After seeing performances by Louise Armstrong and Nat King Cole at the Carib Theater in Jamaica, it gave him the drive to continue his passion and continue in his dream.
- Alexander and his family moved to Miami in 1961 and shortly after he started to play at Jilly Rizzo jazz club.
Monty Alexander
By: Cerone WhiteOn this day in Caribbean history, June 6, 1944, Montgomery “Monty” Bernard Alexander, a Jazz pianist, was born in Kingston, Jamaica,. The acclaimed singer and song writer discovered the piano at the age of four and at age six, after taking lessons in classical music, he became interested in Jazz. At fourteen Monty began showcasing his skills in the club scene and soon people started to take notice of his talent. After seeing performances by Louise Armstrong and Nat King Cole at the Carib Theater in Jamaica, it gave him the drive to continue his passion and continue in his dream.
Alexander and his family moved to Miami in 1961 and shortly after he started to play at Jilly Rizzo jazz club. In 1964 Alexander released his first album “Alexander the Great” for Pacific Jazz. Motny spent five decades infusing American Jazz and Jamaican roots even entering the Jamaican club scene playing piano and then as the leader of Monty and the Cyclones in the late 1960s. In the 70s Alexander formed a group where he created a stir in the jazz-scene in Europe. The Jazz pianist was married to American jazz guitarist Emily Remler in 1981.The couple divorced in 1985 and currently Monty is living in New York with his wife and Italian jazz singer Catarina Zapponi.
