Monty Alexander to perform at Reggae Jazz fusion in Florida

MIAMI — Renowned Jamaican jazz musician, Monty Alexander, C.D., will be special guest at the celebration of Reggae Jazz Fusion, to be held on Sunday, May 22, at the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts (BCPA), in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Under the patronage of the Consul General, Sandra Grant Griffiths, the special performance will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the piano virtuoso, as the BCPA continues its 20th anniversary celebrations, showcasing a series of year-round events, which began last September.

Patrons will enjoy a night of musical entertainment of reggae and jazz, as Mr. Alexander will share the stage with other Jamaican musical giants, reggae artiste, Maxi Priest, songwriter and accomplished artiste, A.J. Brown, and jazz performer, Cecil Grey.

Mr. Alexander’s outstanding career spans five decades of exceptional musical talent and showmanship, performing on world stages with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Bill Cosby, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, among others. 

With an extensive repertoire of 60 albums ranging from classical jazz to reggae, the audience should  enjoy Mr. Alexander’s musical offering, which has earned him a place in the top five in Hal Leonard’s book titled: ‘The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of all Time’.

Mr. Alexander was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander class) for outstanding services as a worldwide music ambassador, in 2000.

The Consul General said she is delighted to welcome the musical giant to the South Florida stage, stating that Reggae Jazz Fusion is a timely offering by the organisers, Riddims Marketing, “to titillate the discerning palate of South Florida society, a diverse Caribbean-Latin American gateway that readily embraces quality performances in exciting genres that reflect the community’s cosmopolitan nature."                         

Meanwhile, Vice President of External Affairs, BCPA, Jan Goodheart, said the Centre is pleased to showcase Jamaica’s outstanding talents as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of this prestigious institution.

Over the years, the BCPA has forged an alliance with the Consulate General of Jamaica, resulting in a range of successful performances, including the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC),  Reggae Symphony as well as the Centre’s Art Inspire musical education programme, featuring Jamaican percussionist, William ‘Willie’ Stewart, former drummer of Third World Band.

By CHERYL WYNTER, JIS INFORMATION ATTACHÉ