J.R. Monterose

Biography

J. R. Monterose (January 19, 1927 – September 16, 1993), born Frank Anthony Peter Vincent Monterose, Jr., was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and occasionally soprano. Monterose played in the bebop and hard bop styles and had early successes in the late 1950's playing with leading jazz figures in New York City such as Charles Mingus (whom he disliked), and Kenny Dorham (whom he admired). Monterose left New York in the early 1960's determined to follow his own artistic path in jazz rather than doing session work or shifting to rock or pop music. To make a living as an independent jazz artist, he played long engagements often for months at small jazz clubs away from major cities. Monterose was highly regarded both by jazz club owners and by musicians such as David Sanborn who dropped out of music school at Northwestern University to play and study with Monterose. Despite his reputation in the jazz community, Monterose's preference for small-group work in out of the way places would shape much of his subsequent career, contributing to the musical growth but relegating him to obscurity. Monterose is not to be confused with tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose.

Bio from Wikipedia