Monty Alexander broke in as a session pianist at the same place where Bob Marley made his first records -- Studio One, in Kingston, Jamaica. By the time he was 17, he'd moved to the United States, where jazz bassist Ray Brown took him under his wing. Alexander quickly became known as a fluid and entertaining player of straight-ahead jazz.

Now that he's 60, there are few musicians who can match Alexander's youthful energy for bringing together different styles, and who do it with such heart and style. In this feature Alexander weaves a story that somehow brings together Sly & Robbie, Louis Armstong, Bob Marley and -- yes -- Roy Rogers.

As in all the pieces in David Schulman's CPB-supported Musicians in their own words series, the story is told through a mix of the performer's voice and music. There is no reporter's voice heard, allowing the feature to be seamlessly incorporated into station news, talk, or music programming.

Three mixes are provided for programming flexibility. For most purposes, the 6:10 'prime' mix is recommended. A 7:05 full mix and a 4:35 short mix also are provided. Scripts for intro and outro are attached, and may be edited at will.

This features does not duplicate any material heard in Monty Alexander: ENCORE ... on Bob Marley's Redemption Song.

This piece works well pegged to local performances. Alexander's tour schedule includes:

10/1and 10/2, Smoke Jazz Club, New York
10/29 Gainesville Friends of Jazz Series, Gainesville, FL
11/9 to 11/14, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York

This piece debuts on PRX. Hide full description

Monty Alexander broke in as a session pianist at the same place where Bob Marley made his first records -- Studio One, in Kingston, Jamaica. By the time he was 17, he'd moved to the United States, where jazz bassist Ray Brown took him under his wing. Alexander quickly became known as a fluid and entertaining player of straight-ahead jazz. Now that he's 60, there are few musicians who can match Alexander's youthful energy for bringing together different styles, and who do it with such heart and style. In this feature Alexander weaves a story that somehow brings together Sly & Robbie, Louis Armstong, Bob Marley and -- yes -- Roy...
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