Monty Alexander, Maxi Priest and A.J. Brown for Reggae Jazz Fusion at the Broward Center May 22, 2011

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South Florida will be treated to a rich and explosive combination of  jazz and reggae when Jamaican jazz great Monty Alexander, renowned reggae crooner Maxi Priest, and respected cabaret singer A.J. Brown hit the stage for the first annual Reggae Jazz Fusion.

The event is slated for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Ave.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm and celebrates Alexander’s 50 years in music.

Legendary Jazz pianist Monty Alexander will bring five decades of extraordinary talent and showmanship to the stage. He also comes armed with a rich musical background punctuated by the likes of the legend himself, Frank Sinatra, who Alexander accompanied on many occasions; Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby and so many more.

With over 60 albums under his belt, the world renowned musician has an extensive repertoire to choose from. From classical jazz to reggae, Alexander will take the audience on a musical journey with harmonic and melodic turns, culminating in a crescendo of musical excellence, which has earned him a place in the top five in Hal Leonard’s book The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time.

Alexander’s collaborations span multiple genres, styles, and generations. His projects have been as varied as assisting Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991 (the resulting album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards), performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and recording the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s Bird, a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Monty Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.

Reggae super star Maxi Priest, who has sung his way into the hearts of reggae lovers worldwide and is respected for his brand of reggae music which has a heavy R&B influence will bring a reggae vibe to the stage.  Also scheduled to perform is vocalist  A. J. Brown, who moves seamlessly across musical genres and sings everything from Reggae and Jazz to pop and Classical, and is considered one of Jamaica’s greatest vocalists.  Guitarist Eugene Grey will make a guest appearance at the show, which promises to be a memorable night of musical delight.

Tickets are available online at www.browardcenter.org, the Broward Center Box office or by phone at 954-462-0222.

Reggae Jazz Fusion is sponsored by The Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Jamaica, Grace Foods, Golden Krust, Western Union, Caribbean Choice, National Weekly, SFLCN.com and No Limits Production.

For more information please contact Riddims Marketing at 954-251-1643.

Posted by: Jazz & Blues Florida
www.JazzBluesFlorida.com
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