This weekend, pianist (and sometimes singer) Monty Alexander returns to the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild to mark the official start of season 36 for MCG Jazz. It is a return to a city he loves, and to MCG Jazz - where he joined bassist Ray Brown for the beginnings of jazz at the venue.
Monty is a native of Jamaica, coming to the US as a teen and soon ending up in the midst of an amazing music scene in New York, including at the Manhattan bar Jilley’s - where he quickly became part of the scene - hanging with Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Count Basie, meeting the likes of Judy Garland, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr. At Jilly’s, he headed a trio for four years with rotation of bass and drum luminaries - including Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, Mikey Roker, Bob Cranshaw and Ron Carter. He was still in his teens.
Monty made his first album at the age of 20, Alexander the Great. His most recent album is a different approach, brought about by the encouragement of others, to sing (Carmen McRae urged him to). It’s called “Love Notes,” and is a fun romp through music - much of it associated with his youth, calypso and mentos sounds, Nat King Cole, Henry Mancini, Harry Belafonte and more. Monty Alexander has made 74 albums as a pianist, and this is the first where he is also a singer. The lineup of guest artists on the new release includes Roy Hargrove, George Benson, Ramsey Lewis, Joe Sample and Arturo Sandoval.
We have a long visit with Monty, plus a bunch of music - and Pittsburgh stories about the Crawford Grill, Roger Humphries and more. OH - and Franco Harris - Monty wants you to know he’s in town - and come to the show!
We’ll also hear sounds from the saxophonist and singer Camille Thurman - coming to the New Hazlett Theater on the Northside for the next show from Kente Arts, Saturday October 1st. Camille Thurman is a composer, who also plays many other woodwinds and was the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full-time with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (2018-2020).
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Monty Alexander
Camille Thurman