Monty Alexander Feb. 20 - March 4 Blue Note Celebration: The Official Video Trailer

Monty Alexander, who received his first Grammy nomination earlier this year for the Motéma recording Harlem-Kingston Express: Live, will celebrate 50 years in music and the 50th anniversary of Jamaica in a two-week star-studded run at the Blue Note. Part 1 of the event, titled “The Full Monty,” will begin with his current band The Harlem-Kingston Express with special guest Ernest Ranglin on February 20 and revisit a number of significant recordings and ensembles that are landmarks in his diverse musical career: Triple Treat Revisited with Christian McBride & Russell Malone (2/21 – 2/22); Uplift! Trio with guests Dr. Lonnie Smith (2/23) and Pat Martino (2/24); A Jazz Tribute to Trinidad with Othello Molineaux, Etienne Charles & Designer (2/25); A Night At Jilly’s with Dee Dee Bridgewater and Freddy Cole (2/26); and a special reunion of the legendary ’76 Montreux Trio featuring John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton (2/27 – 2/28). Part 2, titled “A One Love Celebration – 50 Years of Jamaica,” will feature Monty with the iconic Jamaican duo Sly & Robbie for three nights featuring special guest Shaggy (3/1 only), followed by a reprise of the Harlem-Kingston Express for two nights with reggae artist Diana King (3/4 only). WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO TRAILER!

Monty Alexander - Celebrating 50 Years in Music and 50 Years of Jamaica, Feb. 20 - March 4 at the Blue Note

Monty Alexander will return to the Blue Note from February 20 - March 4 for a special series of shows celebrating his 50th year in music and the 50th Anniversary of an independent Jamaica. Click on the posters to purchase tickets:

Song Of The Day: Diane Schuur & Ray Charles: "It Had To Be You"

Really looking forward to tonight's artist, Diane Schuur - our song of the day is a clip of Diane singing and playing "It Had To Be You" with the late great legend Ray Charles

Etta James, 1938 - 2012

The great Etta James passed away today and the world has lost a legend. We remember her performance here at the Blue Note in 2006 with fondness - what a voice.

Wynton Marsalis on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we celebrate what would have been the 83rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a true hero whose words of wisdom should not only be remembered, but put into practice throughout the world. Here, Wynton Marsalis makes his debut as a CBS Morning News correspondent in a personal tribute to Dr. King that is poignant, honest, and important:

The Indelible Festival at Highline Ballroom, Concha Buika at Carnegie Hall

We have plenty of great shows coming up at the Blue Note in this month, including McCoy Tyner, Kenny G, The Persuasions, Bill Frisell/Ron Carter/Joey Baron, and Diane Schuur, among others. But there are two shows that are happening outside of the Blue Note in the coming weeks that we want to let you know about:

1) TONIGHT: The Indelible Festival at the Highline Ballroom, produced by Jill Newman Productions.
Jill Newman Productions has put together a unique and diverse array of artists for tonight's show at the Highline to celebrate the life and music of Gil Scott-Heron, Gordon Parks, and living legend Jimmy Scott, including ?uestlove, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), Gary Bartz, Jimmy Scott, Cecil Taylor, Bilal, Derrick Hodge, and more. Click here for tickets.   

2) JANUARY 21: Concha Buika with Chucho Valdes at Carnegie Hall.
One of the best shows of 2011 was Chick Corea's Flamenco Heart, a brand new group that featured, among others, the popular Spanish vocalist Concha Buika. "Buika," as she is affectionately known to her fans, will front Chucho Valdes' all-star group at Carnegie Hall on January 21. Click here for tickets.

          photo by Ernest Gregory