Monty Alexander honoured in France

Award-winning Jamaican jazz pianist, Dr Monty Alexander, has added another title to his lengthy resume, as he recently received France’s prestigious Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters distinction. This honour is another major international cultural recognition for a man whose career spans more than six decades, as Alexander’s artistry has fused Jamaican music and American jazz seamlessly and been taken to audiences all over the world.

Alexander was bestowed with the honour on October 6, at the celebrated New Morning Jazz Club in Paris, during a concert engagement marking the release of his latest album, A Jamarican in Paris. For Alexander, the recognition marks another milestone in a journey that began in Kingston, Jamaica, where he played piano by ear as a child and was performing in local clubs by his teens. His early recording work placed him within Jamaica’s emerging popular music scene, before his move to the United States opened a new chapter on the international jazz stage.

Appreciative of this latest award, Alexander told The Gleaner that he was humbled at the recent recognition.

“As a proud Jamaican, I was delighted to have received this prestigious title and award from the French government. France has always been a champion and expert appreciator of this great music form we call jazz. Therefore, to have been honoured first by my home country of Jamaica, and now by France, I am almost in disbelief. Big up Jamaica and Vive la France!” Alexander said.

The Order of Arts and Letters recognises distinguished artistic and literary achievement and contributions to the influence of the arts in France and around the world.

His new body of work, A Jamarican in Paris, was released on October 2, on CD and vinyl through PeeWee Records. The album was recorded at Studio Sextan with drummer Jason Brown, bassist Luke Sellick, and percussionist Bobby Thomas Jr. Its repertoire brings together Alexander’s Jamaican roots and American jazz influences, with selections including Marcus Garvey/So What, Come Fly With Me and What’s Going On.

He is still booked and busy doing performances in both the United States and Canada, with upcoming engagements in November in Chicago at the Jazz Showcase and at Kean University. ‘Monty Alexander: Jamaica to Jazz’ will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 10, while a special holiday concert will be held at The Creative School Chrysalis at Toronto Metropolitan University on December 13, in Toronto.

Born in Kingston on June 6, 1944, Monty Alexander is a Grammy-nominated pianist whose career bridges Jamaican musical traditions and American jazz. His work is documented on more than 75 recordings, including the Grammy-nominated Harlem Kingston Express: Live! He has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival 23 times since 1976.

His honours include an honorary Doctor of Letters from Te University of the West Indies in 2018; Jamaica’s Commander in the Order of Distinction, awarded in 2000; and the Order of Jamaica, in 2022.

nicola.cunningham@gleaner jm,com