Monte Kay

Entrepreneur

Birthday September 18, 1924

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace New York

DEATH DATE May 25, 1988 (63)

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About

Founder of the landmark New York nightclub Birdland. He was prominent in New York's jazz scene during the 1940s and 1950s.

Before Fame

He served as artistic director of the Royal Roost and persuaded the owner to hire Miles Davis' nonet during the time that Davis was developing cool jazz.

Trivia

He managed many of the great jazz artists of his day, among them Stan Getz and Sonnie Rollins.

Family Life

He had a daughter and two stepchildren with his wife Roberta. He was married to singer and actress Diahann Carroll from 1956 until 1963 and they had a daughter named Suzanne.

Associated With

He was a producer on Flip Wilson's television variety show.