New York, February 18, 2008 – For the first time ever on the fabled stage at the Lincoln Center, New York City, Jamaican Mento will meet Trinidadian Calypso in a special celebration of Caribbean tradition and cultures.

Headlined ‘Jazz at Lincoln Center presents Lords of the West Indies’, the two days, four part concert series is being arranged by renown Jamaican Jazz Pianist Monty Alexander and his ‘friends’ for March 7 & 8, 2008 with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 pm., both nights.

Each concert will showcase a unique ensemble of musicians from a number of Caribbean Islands to celebrate the intersection of Caribbean music with jazz.

Arranged in two stanzas, the first half of each concert programme will focus on the Calypso styling of Trinidad & Tobago while the second portion will highlight Jamaican Mento, featuring such original instrument as; Banjo, Guitar, Rumba Box and Maracas.

Speaking about the group of ‘friends’ Mr. Alexander said that the performance (concert series) presents a unique opportunity to experience authentic Mento with the likes of Joseph Bennett (Shaker, Vocals); Albert Morgan (Rumba Box) and Desi Jones (Drums, Percussion), sharing the same stage at Lincoln Center.

Other ‘friends’ invited to the party include’ Hassan Shaker (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Carlton ‘Blackie’ James (banjo, vocals), Pluto Shervington (guitar, vocals), Dean Frazer (alto sax), David ‘Happy’ Williams (acoustic bass, vocals), Etienne Charles (trumpet), Charles Dougherty (saxophone), “Designer” (vocals) and Clifton Anderson (trombone).

“It’s hard for me to have a small contingent of musicians for such an outing,” mused the silver haired Alexander who praised his Jamaican childhood for an early exposure to the sounds of Jamaican folk music (mento) and Trinidadian calypso sung by the legendary Lord Kitchener.

“The Lords of the West Indies Jazz concert series pays homage to those calypso singers that have helped to shape our popular culture,” notes Alexander, pianist and music director for the series.

The performances will be preceded by a Caribbean reception at 7:00 pm, at the Atrium at the Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, 60th Street & Broadway, Manhattan.

The concert series is being generously supported by Time Warner Inc., Atria Group Inc., Bank of America, Bloomberg, Coca Cola Company, Entergy Nuclear, Samsung Electronics America Inc., XM Satellite Radio, BET J, Cadillac and MasterCard.

For tickets and information, call CenterCharge at 212-721-6500 or on the web at; www.jalc.org