This weekend, Friday through Sunday, wrap up the two-week engagement of versatile pianist Montgomery Bernard Alexander (better known as Monty Alexander) in the New York area. The Blue Note is using the anniversary of his debut as a professional musician (in Kingston at the age of 17) as the premise for a career retrospective while also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the independence of Jamaica, his homeland.

Tonight (as I write), he is working with the reggae rhythm duo Sly and Robbie; on Saturday and Sunday he leads Harlem-Kingston Express, his most recent crossover vehicle. Shows are at 8:00 and 10:30pm.

The Blue Note is located at 131 West Third Street in New York.

For more information, see http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/03/arts/music/jazz-listings-for-march-2-8.html

Also see his artist’s page at http://montyalexander.com/