At his New York City home, Monty Alexander takes a break from packing for an upcoming whirlwind of European gigs to jump on the phone for an interview. Just as cordial, eloquent and friendly as expected, the iconic Jamaican pianist pauses for a moment when asked how often he plays in his free time these days. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ashamed to say not very often,\u201d the 70-year-old says, his smooth accent, in spite of his many years living in New York, still distinctly Jamaican. \u201cI\u2019m leaning against a piano right now, but I never practice much. When I was a kid at the beginning of my real relationship with the piano, I felt like this is my friend, this wonderful object. When I got to play, I thought how wonderful, it fills the room with some kind of vibration. These days I don\u2019t play from the standpoint of technique. I have that already. I play for the joy of it. I paint a picture with music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growing up inspired by Jamaican folk music and also by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, whose live performances he witnessed at a young age, Alexander sits down at the keys and is possessed by the spirit of music. His hands are guided by intuition. He\u2019s driven, like so many of his compatriots, by good vibes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here to uplift people,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m a messenger of goodwill. That is my big obligation and responsibility. I come from a tradition \u2013 when I first saw musicians performing, even before Bob Marley and the reggae explosion, they were reaching out. We used to have folk singers, calypso music. Those kinds of rhythms are joyful rhythms. Even if you\u2019re poor and poverty stricken, there is magic to this music. It takes the pain away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Alexander and his family moved to the United States when the pianist was still a teenager, the tradition of healing rhythms has stayed with him. He has performed with Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Morgan, to name just a few. But of all of his soaring career highlights, he says it\u2019s not the thunder of applause from a big stage that stands out in his memory but simply the afterglow of his most recent performance. <\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I get off the bandstand and one person claps their hands, it makes me feel good,\u201d he says. \u201cMy most memorable accolade is the previous gig that went well. Among them, when I was around Frank Sinatra and he\u2019s saying, \u2018kid, you\u2019re doing great,\u2019 or when Miles Davis says, \u2018where\u2019d you learn to play like that?\u2019 Of course you remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his storied career as a bandleader, Alexander has released nearly 50 records. His recent second live album with band Harlem-Kingston Express won Best Live Album at the Independent Music Awards. The recording enlisted the talent of younger Jamaican artists, revisiting the culture of his roots like never before. Even fans who have seen Alexander perform in Vail over the years are in for a one-of-a-kind treat when he and his band step onto the stage for Jazz @ Vail Square on Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been embracing my heritage in a more specific way,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cI\u2019m bringing my idea of artistry on the piano, relating the jazz tradition to the heartbeat of Jamaican reggae and ska.\u201d<\/p>\n
While many artists would feel haggard after more than 50 years of performing, with every show, Alexander is constantly hit by a fresh wave of wonder at the opportunity to do what he loves for a living. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hear young players, whizzes, and you remember the first time you picked up that instrument, the joy you had in doing so. You go back to doing so, like a na\u00efve child, just waiting to shine and express yourself,\u201d he says. \u201cThe feeling that you had the first time you really played, to me that\u2019s what this music thing is about. You\u2019re back in the playpen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss Monty Alexander at 6 p.m. Aug. 7 in Lionshead for Jazz @Vail Square. Jazz Tent tickets are $15 or $30 for VIP seats (including front of the tent seating, access to 1st Bank VIP Lounge and a drink ticket). Alexander will also be one of 40-plus decorated musicians performing at the 20th Annual Vail Jazz Party over Labor Day Weekend. For more information, visit vailjazz.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"