Jack Montrose


Jack Montrose was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and arranger. After attending college in Los Angeles, he worked with Jerry Gray and then Art Pepper. Montrose also did arrangements for Clifford Brown. He became known for cool jazz and/or West coast jazz.
Montrose was born in Detroit. Beginning in the mid-1950s Montrose's heroin addiction became a liability and by the time he had overcome it his style of jazz was no longer popular. This led him to play in strip joints for a time until he relocated to Las Vegas where he worked in casinos. Montrose returned to recording in 1977 and in 1986 had some success in collaboration with Pete Jolly.
Jack Montrose is not to be confused with tenor saxophonist J.R. Monterose.
He died in Las Vegas.

Discography

As leader

With Chet Baker
  • Grey December
  • The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker
  • Chet Baker & Strings - as arranger
With Elmer Bernstein
  • "The Man with the Golden Arm"
With Frank Butler
  • The Stepper
With Shelly Manne
  • Concerto for Clarinet & Combo
With Art Pepper
  • Surf Ride
With Shorty Rogers
With Mel Torme
  • ''Mel Torme Sings Fred Astaire''