egroj world: J.R. Monterose • Albany 1990

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

J.R. Monterose • Albany 1990

Biography
by Scott Yanow
J.R. Monterose (not to be confused with fellow tenor Jack Montrose) is most famous for a gig that he personally did not enjoy, playing with Charles Mingus in 1956 and recording on Mingus' breakthrough album Pithecanthropus Erectus. He grew up in Utica, NY, played in territory bands in the Midwest, and then moved to New York City in the early '50s. Monterose played with Buddy Rich (1952) and Claude Thornhill and recorded with (among others) Teddy Charles, Jon Eardley, and Eddie Bert. After leaving Mingus (whom he did not get along with), Monterose played with Kenny Dorham's Jazz Prophets and recorded a strong set for Blue Note as a leader. Although he performed into the 1980s (doubling on soprano in later years), Monterose never really became famous. In addition to his Blue Note date, he led sets for Jaro (a 1959 session later reissued by Xanadu), Studio 4 (which was reissued by V.S.O.P.), a very obscure 1969 outing for the Dutch label Heavy Soul Music (1969), and, during 1979-1981, albums for Progressive, Cadence, and two for Uptown.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jr-monterose-mn0000117136/biography

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Biografía

por Scott Yanow

J.R. Monterose (no hay que confundirlo con el tenor Jack Montrose) es más famoso por una actuación que no disfrutó personalmente, tocar con Charles Mingus en 1956 y grabar en el álbum pionero de Mingus, Pithecanthropus Erectus. Creció en Utica (Nueva York), tocó en bandas territoriales en el Medio Oeste y luego se trasladó a Nueva York a principios de los años 50. Monterose tocó con Buddy Rich (1952) y Claude Thornhill y grabó con (entre otros) Teddy Charles, Jon Eardley y Eddie Bert. Después de dejar a Mingus (con quien no se llevaba bien), Monterose tocó con los Jazz Prophets de Kenny Dorham y grabó un sólido conjunto para Blue Note como líder. Aunque actuó hasta la década de 1980 (doblando como soprano en años posteriores), Monterose nunca llegó a ser realmente famoso. Además de su fecha en Blue Note, dirigió conjuntos para Jaro (una sesión de 1959 que luego fue reeditada por Xanadu), Studio 4 (que fue reeditado por V.S.O.P.), una salida muy oscura de 1969 para el sello holandés Heavy Soul Music (1969), y, durante 1979-1981, álbumes para Progressive, Cadence, y dos para Uptown.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jr-monterose-mn0000117136/biography

Tracks:
Set One
1-1 - Nardis (JR Monterose Out / Tuning Up)
1-2 - Blue Bossa / Tenderly Intro
1-3 - Tenderly
1-4 - Bags' Groove
Set Two
1-5 - A Night In Tunisia
1-6 - My Old Flame
2-1 - Unknown Blues
Set Three
2-2 - Tuning
2-3 - My One And Only Love
2-4 - Lady Bird
2-5 - A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square
Set Four
2-6 - Well You Needn't
2-7 - What's New / Announcements

Credits:
    Bass – Luther Brown
    Drums – Hal Miller
    Electric Piano – Walter Donnaruma
    Guitar – Chuck D'Aloia
    Tenor Saxophone – J.R. Monterose

Notes:
Four set recording of JR Monterose and company at Justin's in Albany, NY on April 21, 1990. Front insert states that it has been a previously unreleased live performance.

Label:    Not On Label (J.R. Monterose Self-released) – none
Country:    US
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/20346115-JR-Monterose-Albany-1990