May is not only the merry month of the year, it is the month to celebrate JAZZ in Las Vegas! You may ask, “How did that all get started?”
Our answer would be, “By a very clever, persistent, talented Jazz musician (pioneer of the jazz electric bass guitar) by the name of Monk Montgomery.”

An interesting tidbit is that Monk used to play with his thumb (as did his brother Wes) until in the 1960s he took up Fender Jazz Bass, playing with a felt pick. He was well-known through the world, playing with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra before returning to the U.S. first locating in Seattle and then Las Vegas in 1972.

This is the same man who pushed to form the Las Vegas Jazz Society in 1975. In 1977, Monk was acknowledged with a plaque for the Society’s participation in “May is Jazz Month”, the mayor-proclaimed City of Las Vegas happening. From then until now, Las Vegas and its jazz lovers and performers honor May as their special month.

To learn more about Monk and the history of The Las Vegas Jazz Society feel free to view Midnight Muse – The Book online via the store tab at www.forgottensongmusic.com.