Monty Alexander

Monty Alexander has always been a fine jazz pianist, but in recent years he has received more popular acclaim for interpreting the reggae music of his native Jamaica. While his reggae efforts are well done, straight-ahead jazz and interpreting standards are really his forte. For The Good Life, Alexander has chosen to riff on tunes from the repertoire of Tony Bennett -- not the most popular or well-known, or even written by the singer -- but a good cross section of his set list over the decades. The Chicago-based rhythm team of veteran drummer George Fludas and up-and-coming bassist Lorin Cohen (cousin and bandmate of pianist Ryan Cohan) gives Alexander all the supple support and equal dynamism his playing demands. It's safe to say that listeners will enjoy the more refined, easy swinging numbers such as "Smile," the light bossa treatment of "Maybe September," and the tender ballad "Emily." This is what the elegant Alexander does best, playing 'round midnight affirmations, romantic advances, and subtle harmonies. But as the CD hums along, the pianist becomes more assertive -- the kind of animation Alexander is always capable of but rarely shows -- as on "Just in Time," where he trades phrases with Fludas, displays energy, and digs in. The trio does "Put on a Happy Face" in a loping, crafted manner, seasoned by the years, and presents a doleful blues on "I Wanna Be Around," which is the tune most identified with Bennett. A little Latin spice bumps up the traipsing "That Old Devil Moon," and a horse-trot rhythm courtesy of Fludas inspires "The Good Life." As in the tradition of Chesky Records, this session was recorded with a single 360-degree microphone, done at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in N.Y.C., and the sound is pristine. Turn up the volume a few notches to hear the precious, full, rich, bountiful sound Alexander and his group are putting down. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide