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Monty Alexander is a Jamaican-American jazz pianist who has been active in the music industry for over five decades. He was born on June 6, 1944, in Kingston, Jamaica, and grew up in a musical family. His father, a bassist, and his mother, a singer, were both involved in the local music scene, and Alexander was exposed to music from an early age. Alexander began playing the piano at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He was influenced by a variety of musical styles, including jazz, blues, and calypso, and began performing in local clubs and hotels as a teenager. In 1961, he moved to Miami, Florida, where he continued to play in clubs and began to gain a reputation as a talented pianist. In 1962, Alexander moved to New York City, where he quickly became a part of the city's vibrant jazz scene. He began playing with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, and Ray Brown. He also formed his own trio, which included bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Alexander continued to perform and record with his trio, as well as with other musicians. He released a number of albums during this time, including "Montreux Alexander" (1976), "Jamento" (1978), and "Ivory and Steel" (1980). He also collaborated with other musicians, including Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare. In 1991, Alexander formed a new trio, which included bassist Hassan Shakur and drummer Herlin Riley. This trio has been his primary group ever since, and they have released a number of albums together, including "Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley" (1999), "Goin' Yard" (2001), and "Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley" (2006). Alexander has also been recognized for his contributions to jazz music. In 2000, he was awarded the Jamaican Order of Distinction for his contributions to Jamaican music. In 2012, he was inducted into the Jazz at Lincoln Center Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, Alexander has continued to tour and perform around the world. He has played at some of the biggest jazz festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival. He has also performed at the White House and at Carnegie Hall. In addition to his work as a musician, Alexander is also a composer and arranger. He has written a number of original compositions, including "Montevideo" and "Renewal." He has also arranged music for other musicians, including Ernest Ranglin and Sly Dunbar. Overall, Monty Alexander is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of jazz music. His unique blend of jazz, blues, and calypso has earned him a dedicated following of fans around the world, and his contributions to the genre have been recognized by his peers and by the music industry as a whole.

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