Monty Alexander is married to Italian jazz singer, Caterina Zapponi. There isn’t much information about her on the internet as she likes to keep her life away from the limelight.
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In 1961, Alexander and his family moved to Miami, Florida, where he continued to showcase his talents in various nightclubs. Fate took a turn when he caught the attention of none other than Frank Sinatra and Sinatra’s friend Jilly Rizzo. Invited to New York City in 1962, Alexander became the house pianist for Jilly Rizzo’s club, “Jilly’s.” His performances there not only impressed Sinatra but also led to friendships with jazz luminaries like Ray Brown and Milt Jackson.
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Image Credit: Down Beat.com
Alexander’s career saw significant milestones, including his first album, “Alexander the Great,” recorded in Los Angeles in 1964. Regular tours in Europe, collaborations with Milt Jackson and Ernest Ranglin, and recording with his classic trio for MPS Records marked pivotal moments. In 1976, his collaboration with John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton, known as Montreux Alexander, created waves at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
In the 1990s, Alexander delved into reggae, forming a band with Jamaican musicians and releasing reggae albums like “Yard Movement” (1996) and “Stir It Up” (1999). His ability to seamlessly blend genres was further showcased in collaborations with artists like Sly & Robbie and Ernestine Anderson.


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