Monty Alexander is a Jamaican born jazz pianist who left his home in the early 1960's. A consummate musician he has collaborated with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Frank Sinatra. This recording captures Monty "Live at The Iridium", the New York City Jazz club, in May of 2004. In a classic trio with bassist Hassan Shakur, and drummer Mark Taylor (and with occasional additional percussion by Robert Thomas Jr.), Monty performs a wonderful set and reminds us why we listen to music.

This is an uplifting set which showcases Monty's piano stylings and an appreciation for both the old and the new. Monte open's with Nat Adderley's "Work Song", a rhythmic tribute to hard times, sounding "bluesy" and with terrific percussion he takes off and then returns us to the ground, the ten minute opus provides a perfect introduction.

"Slappin" is an original composition in a rhythm and blues style, which is why I like his playing so much. The Gilbert/Baer authored "My Mothers Eyes" is both dramatic and sentimental at the same time. This is a beautiful piece which changes tempo when the trio joins. "Happylypso/Funji Mama" is the Blue Mitchell composition and it frolics from start to finish. The original "The River" is as beautiful a composition as can be. "Runnin' Away" is another original and it does exactly that as it takes off on a tangent. The Neal Hefti "Little Darlin" is next and Hassan Shakur's bass solo is perfect. Two more originals close out the set, "Mount Zanda" and "That's the Way It is". the latter being Monty's rhythm and blues showcase for his "riffs and licks".

This is a thoroughly satisfying set which will please both new and old Monty Alexander fans. Be sure to catch him the next time he's in town.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer