J. R. Monterose - Amsterdam 1970

Ok, so funk and rock don't find that much interest... folks, do check out the Pee Wee Ellis and The Band shows posted recently - they're both mighty fine!

Here's another one for the jazz crowd, but another obscure one, I'm afraid.



J.R. Monterose had a quick time in the spotlight in the mid 50s, being a member of Kenny Dorham's Jazz Prophets (recording Vol. 1 for Argo and the Round Midnight at the Café Bohemia albums for Blue Note), as well as appearing on albums by Teddy Charles, Jon Eardley, Charles Mingus' classic Pithecanthropus Erectus and teaming up with Eddie Bert for some Savoy sessions.
In October 1956, Monterose made his own fine album for Blue Note Records, featuring another unsung giant, Ira Sullivan, as well as a mighty hot rhythm section consisting of Horace Silver, Wilbur Ware and Philly Joe Jones. After sessions with Oscar Pettiford and an album with George Wallington, Monterose cut his second album, The Message, in 1959.
In 1960, he teamed up with René Thomas, the great Belgian guitarist, to record the later's Guitar Groove, a fantastic Jazzland album also featuring pianist Hod O'Brien. After than, his recordings get less and less. but in 1964 he cut another classic, In Action. Monterose died in 1993.

For more information, check out the great discography on Mike Fitzgerald's page.

A short 1970 recording with Kenny Drew was posted here earlier, it can still be downloaded!

And some more Monterose will follow!

But here's a short 1970 show with René Thomas, recorded in Amsterdam.


J.R. Monterose Quartet
Amsterdam (NL), Paradiso
February 11, 1970

J.R. Monterose - tenor sax
René Thomas - guitar
Rob Langereis - bass
Han Bennink - drums

1. unknown (5:28)
2. Sunnymoon for Two (14:05)
3. Lover Man (12:38) [inc, radio voiceover at beginning and end]

TT: 32:48

Sound: A-
Source: radio broadcast

Edits: fixed marks (sorry, no notes taken at the time)