Monte Kay
Encyclopedia
Monte Kay, September 18, 1924 – May 25, 1988 was a prominent figure of the New York jazz
scene in the late 1940s and 1950s, producing - often in association with the disc jockey Symphony Sid
- several young musicians and acting as musical director of several night clubs. According to some accounts, during those years he would sometimes introduce himself as a fair-skinned Afro-American. As the artistic director of the Royal Roost
(a jazz venue on 52nd Street) he succeeded in persuading the owner, Ralph Watkins, to hire Miles Davis
' nonet - sometimes called the "Tuba Band" - with which Davis was pursuing a project that later was to be called Birth of the Cool
, and which started the cool jazz
movement. Kay befriended Davis and, during his later marriage to singer/actress Diahann Carroll, was for a time Miles' neighbor.
In 1949 he founded the jazz club Birdland
(later,he would also open another jazz club, Le Downbeat in Chicago
). During the 1950s, Kay produced several musicians, including Herbie Mann
, Stan Getz
, Sonny Rollins
and the Modern Jazz Quartet
. In the same period he married (1956–1963) Singer/actress Diahann Carroll. Their daughter, Suzanne Kay Bamford, is a journalist and television author.
In later years, Kay became the producer of the comedian Flip Wilson
and produced the TV show The Flip Wilson Show
.
Monte Kay died of heart failure in Los Angeles.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
scene in the late 1940s and 1950s, producing - often in association with the disc jockey Symphony Sid
Symphony Sid
Sid Torin was a long-time jazz disk jockey in the United States. Many critics have credited him with introducing jazz to the mass audience.-Early life:...
- several young musicians and acting as musical director of several night clubs. According to some accounts, during those years he would sometimes introduce himself as a fair-skinned Afro-American. As the artistic director of the Royal Roost
Royal Roost
-History:Ralph Watkins originally opened the Royal Roost as a chicken restaurant. After a difficult start, Watkins was persuaded by Sid Torin to try presenting modern jazz at the club. Beginning in 1948 the club began to showcase the likes of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Dexter...
(a jazz venue on 52nd Street) he succeeded in persuading the owner, Ralph Watkins, to hire Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
' nonet - sometimes called the "Tuba Band" - with which Davis was pursuing a project that later was to be called Birth of the Cool
Birth of the Cool
Birth of the Cool is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1957 on Capitol Records. It compiles twelve songs recorded by Davis's nonet for the label over the course of three sessions during 1949 and 1950...
, and which started the cool jazz
Cool jazz
Cool is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style that preceded it...
movement. Kay befriended Davis and, during his later marriage to singer/actress Diahann Carroll, was for a time Miles' neighbor.
In 1949 he founded the jazz club Birdland
Birdland
Birdland may refer to:In music:* Birdland , a club in New York City* Birdland, a jazz club in Vienna founded by Joe Zawinul* "Birdland" , an instrumental composed by Joe Zawinul, originally recorded by his band Weather Report...
(later,he would also open another jazz club, Le Downbeat in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
). During the 1950s, Kay produced several musicians, including Herbie Mann
Herbie Mann
Herbert Jay Solomon , better known as Herbie Mann, was a Jewish American jazz flutist and important early practitioner of world music...
, Stan Getz
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
, Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins
Theodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins is a Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. A number of his compositions, including "St...
and the Modern Jazz Quartet
Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet was established in 1952 by Milt Jackson , John Lewis , Percy Heath , and Kenny Clarke . Connie Kay replaced Clarke in 1955...
. In the same period he married (1956–1963) Singer/actress Diahann Carroll. Their daughter, Suzanne Kay Bamford, is a journalist and television author.
In later years, Kay became the producer of the comedian Flip Wilson
Flip Wilson
Clerow Wilson, Jr. , known professionally as Flip Wilson, was an American comedian and actor. In the early 1970s, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series, The Flip Wilson Show...
and produced the TV show The Flip Wilson Show
The Flip Wilson Show
The Flip Wilson Show is a variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a...
.
Monte Kay died of heart failure in Los Angeles.