OBITUARIES : Monte Kay, 63; Producer, Manager and Club Founder

Monte Kay, record producer, personal manager and founder of several jazz clubs in New York City, died Wednesday at Cedars Sinai Medical Center of an apparent heart attack.

Kay, 63, began producing jazz concerts in New York when he was in his late teens. Artists he featured included Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Later he was a founder of Birdland and operated two other less-famous jazz spots, Royal Roost and Le Downbeat.

He next became a vice president for United Artists records and manager of the Modern Jazz Quartet, Kirby Mann, Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz.

Kay moved to Los Angeles as manager of Flip Wilson and helped produce the comedian’s highly rated TV show. He and Wilson founded Little David Records, a comedy-oriented label whose artists include Wilson and George Carlin.

Kay is survived by his wife, Roberta, and three children. In lieu of flowers contributions are asked to the I Can Assn., an organization at 4024 Durfee Road, El Monte 91732, that helps abused and neglected children.