Jazz at the Lesher Center Series: Monty Alexander & The Harlem-Kingston Express – Jamaica to Jazz

For the eighth year in a row, the Diablo Regional Arts Association proudly announces this year’s singular Jazz at the Lesher Center 2019 Concert Series, featuring many of today’s most lauded jazz artists and the brightest rising talents. A dynamic, technically brilliant, Jamaican-born jazz pianist in the mold of Oscar Peterson who often explores his Caribbean roots, thrilled the Lesher audiences with his trio in 2017. With this band, Alexander spontaneously orchestrates, switching off from straight-ahead to two worlds meet. He also sings and plays the melodica. "There's always some kind of jet taking off when I transfer the music to one rhythm or the other. Whether it's 4/4 straight-ahead acoustic or a rhythm from Jamaica, it's cathartic. It's a bring-people-together thing, and the musicians enjoy each other. You can see the camaraderie... It never gets old." Over 70 recordings as leader. Harlem Kingston Express featuring Hassan Shakur, acoustic bass, Obed Calvaire, drums, Andy Bassford, guitar, Joshua Thomas, electric bass, Karl Wright, percussion/drums.