Above: the Blue Note

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaican jazz legend Monty Alexander will be launching a series of collaborative shows at the Blue Note in New York City next month, aiming to bring together the worlds of jazz and reggae.

Alexander, who will be launching his Harlem-Kingston Express 2 next year, will begin with a weekend showcase on Jan. 13 with a double-fature lineup.

Afterwards, Caterina Zapponi, Bucky and Martin Pizzarelli, and Frank Vignola come together to present a lineup of jazz and swing-centric compositions

Beginning Jan. 22, Alexander will be performing with John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton, who have collaborated together for more than 40 years.

On Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, Alexander will be joined by Jamaican guitar legend Ernest Ranglin and Chronixx, a rising reggae star.

Alexander’s first Harlem-Kingston Express album was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Reggae Album last year.

The Blue Note Jazz Club is located in New York’s Greenwich Village.