Tony Kofi Quartet - Plays Monk: All Is Know

1 Boo Boo's Birthday Monk 7:25
2 Ugly Beauty Monk 4:47
3 Trinkle Tinkle Monk 5:28
4 Ruby My Dear Monk 4:58
5 Brilliant Corners Monk 6:38
6 Comin' on the Hudson Monk 2:43
7 We See Monk 4:08
8 Crepuscule with Nellie Monk 2:38
9 Teo Monk 3:38
10 Misterioso Monk 9:01
11 Gallop's Gallop Monk 4:26
12 Light Blue Monk 4:57
13 Think of One Monk 4:28
14 Monk's Mood Monk 4:40

Recorded January 12&17, 2004
2004 Specific Jazz 001

First making a name for himself on the British jazz scene in '91 as a member of the high profile young Turks the Jazz Warriors, Tony Kofi went on to guest with a wide variety of artists during the first half of the '90s—from the David Murray Big Band, Jazz Jamaica and Eddie Henderson to Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa—before joining the Township Express Orchestra and Tim Richards' Great Spirit, both of which he continues to play with. He is a red blooded and muscular soloist in whom Charlie Parker's wild, unruly tone is often writ enjoyably large, and who is also capable of moments of delicate, tender lyricism. His first horn is the alto, but he also plays soprano and an earthy yet fleet fingered baritone (more Leo Parker than Gerry Mulligan).

Incredibly—and rather shamingly for the British record business—this is Kofi's first release as leader, a full thirteen years after his emergence with the Warriors. But that's another story, and an old one.

The Tony Kofi Quartet, the members of which began woodshedding the Thelonious Monk songbook together in '00, debuted in fall '03 at the London Jazz Festival with a marathon six hour set in which they played every one of Monk's seventy known written compositions. The Quartet is part of the larger Monk Liberation Front ensemble—co-led by Kofi, pianist Jonathan Gee and composer Philip Clark—dedicated to bringing Monk's oeuvre to new audiences while also commissioning original work informed by Monk's legacy and spirit.

So Kofi and his colleagues have paid their dues and spent plenty time getting inside the head of their spirit guide. And Plays Monk (All Is Know) itself is a blast: a respectful (without being slavishly so) and insightful celebration of fourteen of Monk's compositions. Unlike some albums given over entirely to Monk's works, for instance Esbjorn Svensson Trio's own excellent Plays Monk, the Quartet mix up some of the best known Monk standards with lesser known gems, some which many listeners will probably be hearing for the first time here. Half of the tracks feature the core alto-led quartet, while the other half ring the changes with a string arrangement (Philip Clark's sepulchral chart for "Ugly Beauty"), or with Kofi playing other saxophones (the closing "Monk's Mood" on unaccompanied baritone is especially memorable), or with a guest artist. (Orphy Robinson's lovely marimba on "Misterioso," at 9'01" the longest track on the album—and a reminder of how well tuned percussion fits into Monk's work, probably because, without decrying his harmonic or melodic genius, Monk often approached the piano as a piece of tuned percussion.)

Not only the first own-name album for Tony Kofi, Plays Monk (All Is Know) is also the first release on Proper Records' contemporary Specific Jazz imprint—and it's an auspicious, hugely enjoyable and thoroughly convincing new beginning on both fronts.

Tony Kofi, alto, soprano and baritone saxes
Jonathan Gee, piano
Ben Hazleton, bass
Winston Clifford, drums
Orphy Robinson, marimba; Reiad Chibah, viola; Andrew Joyce, cello; Madeleine Easton, violin

Contributions

Billy Pierce - Epistrophy

in fact, igor sent me this album months ago. immediately i started listening and fell in love with his playing. with the links of fo'tet, igor reminded me pierce's album can fit to mmd and he is right for sure.

again all credits go to brave igor!

On this excellent album, tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce leads an all-star quartet through a challenging set dominated by the compositions of Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins. Opening with "I'm an Old Cowhand" (a Johnny Mercer standard long associated with Rollins) and then diving into two Monk pieces, Pierce is in full control from the beginning, no mean feat with pieces this complex. You could argue that his gracefully Latinized take on Monk's "Bye-Ya" unduly tames the lurching charm of the melody, but his solo is so solid and assured that you end up agreeing with him by the end. Pianist Donald Brown contributes "In Walked Toot," a tribute piece based on "In Walked Bud" and dedicated to Monk's son, while bassist Christian McBride and drummer Billy Drummond have the most fun on "I'm an Old Cowhand." The quartet sounds bit tentative on "Criss Cross," an angular and forbidding Monk tune that is rarely recorded, but they explode spectacularly at the end of the disc with "Pent-Up House," a Sonny Rollins composition that they play with infectious joy. Highly recommended.

1 I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande) Mercer 7:55
2 Bye-Ya Monk 5:47
3 Ugly Beauty Monk 7:09
4 In Walked Toot Brown 5:00
5 Strode Rode Rollins 4:24
6 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 8:06
7 Mr. Glenn-Roy Pierce 6:10
8 Criss-Cross Monk 5:25
9 Pent-Up House Rollins 6:41

Recorded December 22, 1992
1995 Evidence 22128

Ralph Peterson - Fo'tet Plays Monk

hot summer and living is easy. igor pushes fo'tet's outstanding album and it blows like a cool breeze. thanks igor!

Drummer Ralph Peterson's recordings are always stimulating and somewhat surprising. For this set, his "Fo'tet" consists of the leader, soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson, vibraphonist Bryan Carrott and bassist Belden Bullock. Their tribute to Thelonious Monk features the unit (which does not include a pianist) playing nine Monk tunes (including such difficult numbers as "Skippy," "Played Twice," "Criss Cross" and "Four in One"), plus a couple of originals, "Monkin' Around" and "Spherically Speaking." The light sound of the group contrasts with the "heavy" nature of the complex improvisations, and overall, this is a high-quality outing (adding to the jazz tradition rather than just copying the past) that is well worth several listens.

1 Jackie-Ing Monk 5:55
2 Skippy Monk 4:33
3 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 9:11
4 Played Twice Monk 4:30
5 Light Blue Monk 4:02
6 Criss-Cross Monk 3:27
7 Four in One Monk 5:14
8 Monkin' Around Monk 5:33
9 Spherically Speaking Carrott 3:36
10 Well, You Needn't Monk 5:17
11 Brilliant Corners Monk 5:38

Recorded November 20 and December 18, 1995
1997 Evidence 22174

Steve Lacy - Epistrophy 1969 Paris

moha contributes again. all credits goto moha.

Steve Lacy's many recordings of Thelonious Monk tunes through the years are never less than intriguing and always quite respectful to Monk's themes. This set, with bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark, drummer Aldo Romano, and (on four of the six numbers) pianist Michel Graillier, was Lacy's first Paris recording; the French city would be his home base for the next few decades. Lacy explores five of Monk's complex compositions, including "Light Blue," "Mysterioso," and "Friday the Thirteenth," plus two versions of Monk's theme "Epistrophy." Lacy thoughtfully digs into the tunes and comes up with fresh and fairly free variations.
Review by Scott Yanow

01 - Thelonious
02 - Ruby My Dear
03 - Light Blue
04 - Epistrophy
05 - Epistrophy
06 - Mysterioso
07 - Friday the Thirteenth

BYG Records 529126 - 1969

Heiner Stadler - A Tribute To Monk and Bird

all credits must go to moha. thank you very much.

01 Air Conditioning
02 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
03 Au Privave
04 Straight, No Chaser
05 Misterioso
06 Perhaps

Heiner Stadler, Thad Jones, George Adams, George Lewis, Stanley Cowell,
Reggie Workman, Lenny White, Warren Smith, Cecil Bridgewater

1978 TOMATO, TOM 2-9002

A fine tribute organized by German bandleader and instrumentalist Heiner Stadler. He gathered a group of both American and European musicians, and they performed songs by Monk and Bird under his leadership. This was issued on the old Tomato label, and has recently been reissued on CD.

John Tchicai - In Monk's Mood

wordless, breathless...enjoy!

John Tchicai has long been devoted to avant-garde jazz, having played with Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, and Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra, plus extensively recording as a leader. This session is a bit of a twist, as producer Nils Winther responded to Tchicai's interest in recording once more for Steeplechase by suggesting that he switch back from tenor to alto, while also devoting most of his program to the music of Thelonious Monk. While this might seem restrictive to most artists, Tchicai flourished in this setting, borrowing his wife's instrument and quickly finding common ground with veterans Steve LaSpina (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums) and the fast-rising younger pianist George Colligan. While songbook-type CDs often come off as tepid affairs, Tchicai's staccato approach to the alto and his way of often extending its range to where it sounds much like a soprano gives this predominately ballad collection a very fresh sound. Of particular interest is the leader's choice of relative obscurities like “Coming on the Hudson" and “Light Blue." The CD opens and closes with “Monk's Mood," the opener with the full band and the finale (which was actually recorded first) omitting Drummond, both of which feature Colligan on a Hammond organ that happened to be available in the recording studio. Tchicai also adds two originals to the mix, the free jazz vehicle “Cool Copy" and a loose reworking of Monk's “Ask Me Now," titled “Ask Him Now." While this session may not be as free-form as many Tchicai fans would prefer, it is very valuable music and proves to be an excellent introduction to those who might not already be familiar with this veteran's recorded output.

1 Monk's Mood Monk 6:25
2 Coming On the Hudson Monk 4:53
3 Light Blue Monk 4:34
4 Ugly Beauty Monk 6:15
5 Round About Midnight Monk 9:42
6 Cool Copy Tchicai 4:28
7 Easy Street Jones 8:45
8 Ruby My Dear Monk 9:15
9 Ask Him Now Tchicai 6:13
10 Monk's Mood Monk 6:11

Recorded October 2008
2009 Steeplechase 31675

Antoine Hervé - I Mean You

tdelyon digs and contributes with this album that includes brilliantly played monk tunes by herve. all credits go to tdelyon.

It is to the real lesson of jazz that invites us Antoine Hervé. But it is much more than that. A kind of declaration of love to all his teachers in piano jazz, in the center of which he place Monk. Certainly by attacking solo the work of Monk (with the exception of a signed theme Irving Berlin and of a theme of himself - Camara), Antoine Hervé took during this concert given in public in 1997 in the Cité de la Musique the risk of seeing comparing with the big soloes of The Master. In a period when the pianists replay hardly more the major works, but privilege their own compositions, the trap was immense so much we still have and for ever in the ear the sessions solo of Monk of London or moreover. Apprehension which we have by sliding the record in the reader. And apprehension which falls at once. Because what makes Antoine Hervé recovers from a very personal approach and reading which he proposes allows to understand where from comes Monk and to throw bridges between Monk and Tatum, Monk and Jerry Roll Morton, Monk and Smug persons Waller, Monk and Oscar.
Brilliantly, with shine, with his own genius of the improvisation Antoine Hervé shows us this continuity of the jazz. And on his thrown continues until its own story. Because he has this immense talent and this freedom of geniuses, Antoine Hervé, who allows him to go and to come where he wants, in his personal digression, to take the theme, to go away from it while being inspired by it or in pure contrast and to return in the same gesture there.
The performance and the evolution which he prints in a theme as Ruby My Dear is as such masterful. But for all that, Hervé has the sharpness and the supreme elegance not to linger in digressions. Introspective. Hervé knows how to make it never too much. "Round Midnight" so passes by hilly roads of surprises. He leaves so sometimes in improvisations very Jarretiennes as to show so how much that one, as all the pianists of jazz owes him everything. Because as with Jarrett the approach is the same. The incredible sense of the improvisation all around, to leave and with the major, molded, mixed standards, embodied there in an instant.
In All Alone it is the lively and strong emotion which seizes us. In Monk Mood taken by his run-up, he offers itself a passage by Smoke Get in your eyes. Other lesson of jazz moreover which shows how much Monk also fed on big standards of front he. Farther Hervé knows also how to make mischievous, funny and facetious as it Of Monk dream totally hair-raising, joyful and dancing slightly the dance of the madmen. The public knows what is not said, gets up, exults and applauds. This public knows well that this evening Antoine Hervé was the agent of a secret bigger than him. The secret of the jazz which this wizard of Monk had to whisper him in the ear.

Jean-Marc Gelin @DNJ Translation with Reverso

Plus Loin Music PL 4527
Recorded Live 1997
Sortie le 21 mai 2010

1.Monk's Mood 11:10
2.Think of One 06:27
3.Round Midnight 10:52
4.Monk's Dream 04:26
5.All Alone 08:10
6.Well You Needn't 06:58
7.Camara 03:19
8.Ruby My Dear 05:37
9.I Mean You 06:12

Total Time 63:16

Walter Davis Jr. - In Walked Thelonious

mr. ingram frizer contributes this rare and excellent session of fine and inventive bop pianist, walter davis, jr in solo setting.

Pianist Walter Davis, Jr led relatively few recording sessions throughout his career despite his obvious talent. In fact this CD was his first opportunity to head a date for an American label since his lone Blue Note set back in 1959! Davis performs 14 Thelonious Monk songs (including two versions of "'Round Midnight") unaccompanied. To his credit he does not avoid the more difficult and obscure works (including "Gallop's Gallop," "Trinkle Twinkle," and "Criss Cross"), and he consistently plays with creativity and a dose of the famous Monk wit. Walter Davis, Jr knew Thelonious Monk both personally and musically, and his familiarity really shows on this easily recommended release. ~ Scott Yanow

Walter Davis, Jr. (piano)

1. Green Chimneys
2. Crepuscule With Nellie
3. Gallop's Gallop
4. Ask Me Now
5. 'Round Midnight
6. Trinkle Tinkle
7. Ruby, My Dear
8. Monk's Mood
9. Off Minor
10. Panonica
11. Bye-Ya
12. Ugly Beauty
13. Criss Cross
14. Portrait of an Eremite (Aka Reflections)
15. 'Round Midnight II


It's somewhat surprising that Walter Davis. Jr., regarded as closer to the mind and music of Bud Powell than perhaps any other pianist, would select Thelonious for this solo piano project. To say that he's "channeling" Monk might be doing the performer an injustice, overlooking the hours of study and woodshedding required by Walter to make the session as true to the presiding genius as possible.

Going with no fewer than 15 Monk compositions, Walter makes these Monk tunes more accessible to the pianist, the Monk fan, and the patient listener than Monk himself. As a pianist, I go to these performances as a reference point on Monk.

The producer/engineer, Pierre M. Sprey, provides insightful liner notes about Walter himself, a musician so engrossed in his muse that he practically invited untreated diabetes and high blood pressure to take him from us at a relatively early age. One area Sprey (unfortunately most critics as well) neglects to say anything about is the extraordinary compositional genius of Davis Jr. (yet to be equalled, to my ears). Although his initial recording session, "Davis Cup," is disappointing, he would in the 1970s contribute to the Art Blakey book the most original and exciting compositions performed by the Messengers and, for that matter, most other ensembles (counting Golson's tunes, Miles, Weather Report, etc.). ~ Samuel Chell

Giancarlo Schiaffini Band - About Monk

mew23 contributes this lovely album and makes this blog alive.
all thanks go to mew23.

Rather than reinterpreting the tunes of Thelonious Monk, trombonist Giancarlo Schiaffini has chosen to write a set of ten tunes that only vaguely allude to the bop icon. While snippets of Monk are heard throughout, the clever arrangements offer a glimpse at the quirkiness of the pianist/composer, without slavishly bowing to his style. The band is an Italian all-star conglomeration of ten players, including Gianluigi Trovesi on alto sax, Daniele Cavallanti on tenor sax, Eugenio Colombo on flute, Pasquale Innarella on French horn, Rudy Migliardi on tuba, and Tiziano Tononi on percussion. Schiaffini manages to create an intimate, small group sound, featuring each of the outstanding soloists in an in-and-out setting. The results captivate as they charm, with sophisticated harmonies and unusual voicings.
Steve Loewy, AMG



Giancarlo Schiaffini - trombone
Rudi Migliardi - tuba
Pasquale Innarella - french horn
Daniele Cavallanti - tenor sax
Gianluigi Trovesi - alto sax, clarinet
Eugenio Colombo - flute, soprano sax
Piero Leveratto - bass
Tiziano Tononi - drums
Fulvio Maras - percussion, electronics

01. Potenza dell'Anacoluto [06:31]
02. NDK [08:07]
03. Ottusangoli [06:28]
04. Indigo Owl [08:32]
05. 'Round Twilight [04:04]
06. Mercoledi 17 [06:45]
07. Per Nulla Chiaro [07:26]
08. Blookan [10:52]
09. Interballad [03:23]
10. Trocheo Reale [06:50]
Total time [69:31]

Compositions by Giancarlo Schiaffini (who was obviously inspired by Monk)
Recorded in April 1992 at Regson Studio, Milano, Italy
Pentaflowers CDPIA 025 (Italy), released in 1992

Larry Gales - A Message From Monk

"Here's another good one for MMD" says Cosmo, "reminds me of the great Charlie Rouse's 'Epistrophy' (32jazz) for it is a warm, almost intimate and colloquial live act made by an ex-partner in the late years of his life: Larry Gales 'A Message From Monk' (Candid CCD 79503 1991)."

all thanks go to Cosmo

Larry Gales was a fine supportive bassist who is best-known for his five years (1964-69) spent as a member of Thelonious Monk's Quartet. He started on bass when he was 11 and in 1956 attended the Manhattan School of Music. Among Gales' key associations before joining Monk were J.C. Heard, the Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis-Johnny Griffin Quintet, Herbie Mann (1962), the Junior Mance Trio and Joe Williams. He traveled with Monk all over the world and then, after leaving the pianist-composer, he settled in Los Angeles and became a local fixture. Gales had further opportunities to work with Joe Williams along with such top players as Erroll Garner Willie Bobo, Red Rodney, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Benny Carter, Blue Mitchell, Clark Terry and Kenny Burrell among many others. Gales recorded through the years with many major musicians; in addition to the groups he was working with, he made record sessions with Buddy Tate, Bennie Green, Sonny Stitt, Mary Lou Williams, Jimmy Smith, Sonny Criss and Big Joe Turner plus many others. In 1990 Larry Gales had his only chance to lead his own record session, resulting in a Candid CD (A Message From Monk) featuring his own "A Message From the High Priest" plus five Thelonious Monk tunes.

1 Straight, No Chaser Monk 14:35
2 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 6:14
3 Off Minor Monk 10:17
4 Ruby, My Dear Monk 8:16
5 Let's Call This Monk 10:34
6 A Message from the High Priest Gales, Monk 11:38

Larry "Lonnie" Gales Bass, Vocals
Junior Cook Sax
Benny Green Piano
Ben Riley Drums
Claudio Roditi Trumpet
Steve Turre Trombone

Monk's Music Trio with Roswell Rudd and Max Perkoff - Monk's Bones

cosmo vitelli contributes this rare album and makes the blog alive again.

Before Thelonious Monk purists start speculating on the potential morbidity of the title of Monk's Music Trio's third lushly rendered exploration of the legendary pianist's catalog, the truth must be told: it was inspired by the name of a book on the Ellington trombone section Roswell Rudd (who along with Max Perkoff, son of group pianist Si Perkoff, forms a welcome new trombone section) had been reading prior to the date. The trio's desire to show Duke's keen influence on Monk is no doubt the driving force behind the addition of the horn to the trio's core sound. Monk never much used trombone on his own recordings, but judging from the happy results here, he definitely should have. They add a lush harmonic texture to a faithful reading of "'Round Midnight" that plays a lot like Miles Davis' version — only led by Si Perkoff's tender piano melody. Yet it's on the up-tempo tunes where the percussive nature of the new horn sound shines brightest. The lively, swinging train song "Little Rootie Tootie" begins with the horns blowing a call-and-response whistle with Si Perkoff's percussive piano, and the horns swirl hypnotically throughout. The similarly playful "San Francisco Holiday" was featured on the trio's previous release, but the two horns add enough of a newfound playful spirit to merit a new twist here. The 'bones also come in handy on the strangely intriguing avant-garde rendering of "Friday the Thirteenth," which begins with drummer Chuck Bernstein playing blues on the Brazilian one-stringed berimbau.

1 Monk's Dream Monk 5:27
2 Crepuscule with Nellie Monk 4:30
3 San Francisco Holiday Monk 5:36
4 Ugly Beauty Monk 5:55
5 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 5:00
6 'Round Midnight Monk 7:06
7 Friday the 13th Monk 10:09
8 Blue Monk Monk 9:38
9 I Mean You Monk 4:43

Recorded October 25-26, 2004
2005 CMB Records 102842

Steve Slagle - Plays Monk

this one comes from wightdj. thanks!

I propose passing a law that requires every jazz recording to include at least one Thelonious Monk song. The reason is not that Monk is my favorite composer, but that Monk’s music is some of the most difficult to play. Maybe not technically difficult for jazz professionals, but rhythmically challenging and isn’t it so easy hear a Monk song done wrong. Several tribute recordings worth hearing include, Paul Motian’s Monk In Motian, Danilo Perez’s Latin spiced Panamonk, of course Steve Lacy’s Monk albums and Only Monk. Add to the list this recording, sans piano by Steve Slagle. Slagle is a veteran of Lionel Hampton, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley and the Charles Mingus Big Bands. His approach to Monk is simply to attack the compositions aggressively. Where most musicians are hesitant about Monk, Slagle and guitarist Dave Stryker dive feet first. Slagle with his Jackie McLean/Gary Bartz approach and Stryker a descendant from the John Abercrombie/John Scofield/Mike Stern school of guitar know how to rock, but more importantly how to make Thelonious’ foot tap. Eight of the tracks are Monk’s, one composition “Monk” penned by Slagle might as well have been. The altoist captures the essence of the great man in the tribute song, as he does in the eight others. I can imagine Monk spinning a glorious stage dance while this quartet burns.

Steve Slagle clarinet and alto saxophone
Dave Stryker guitar
Jay Anderson bass
Adam Nussbaum drums

1 Think of One Monk 6:45
2 Worry Later Monk 11:20
3 Ugly Beauty Monk 7:12
4 Criss Cross Monk 5:23
5 Jackie-Ing Monk 7:58
6 Monk Slagle 4:52
7 Light Blue Monk 4:33
8 Bemsha Swing Monk 6:02
9 Epistophy Monk 6:33

2000 Steeplechase 31446

Graewe/Mattos/Vatcher-Impressions of Monk

this one comes from mew23. in fact it was posted to contributions. somehow i forgot to put it to where it deserves, main section. thanks again mew23.

Georg Graewe - piano
Marcio Mattos - bass
Michael Vatcher - drums,zither

01. Brilliant Corners [02:40]
02. I Mean You [11:30]
03. Crepuscule with Nellie [04:55]
04. Trinkle Tinkle [04:42]
05. Light Blue [03:52]
06. Off Minor [07:48]
07. Bye-Ya [02:29]
08. Introspection [03:10]
09. Coming On the Hudson [07:06]
10. Evidence [06:40]
11. Work [06:10]
12. Ugly Beauty [05:02]
13. Brilliant Corners [03:32]
Total Time [70:11]

All compositions by Thelonious Monk
Recorded in Cologne, Germany on March 15 and 16, 1995
Nuscope CD 1006, released in 1999

Knut Kristiansen - Monk Moods

contribution from Slidewell. it's very good that our visitors pay back. thanks

Oslo, Norway, September 1995
Odin has two reasons for releasing this record. One is to present the music of Thelonious Monk (1917-1982). He was definitely "the genius of modern music". The other is to give Knut Kritiansen the credit he rightfully deserves as a long time major jazz resource in Norway. Both reasons are equally important to us, and we hope you feel likewise after experiencing the Monk Moods. --Odin Records

All compositions by Thelonious Monk
All arrangements by Knut Kristiansen
Produced by Knut Kristiansen.

My first encounter with the music of Thelonious Monk took place when I was 15 years old. Although I have always been playing lots of other stuff, his music has had a significant position in my work.

Somehow, by music critics and others, Thelonious Monk was marked as weird and incomprehensible. Time has proved that this is of course absolute nonsense. The music of Monk is in fact logical, flavor-to-the-bone consequent and indeed great art. It gives me great pleasure, now having recorded these tunes with my favorite musicians and friends.

I wish to thank those who have found this recording worthy of their economic support: Fund for Performing Artists, the Norwegian Council for Cultural Affairs, and Norsk Kassettavgiftsfond.
I wish to express special thanks to Rolf S Grundesen, for initially making this recording possible, and for his incredible efforts for Norwegian jazz. --Knut Kristiansen

1.BRILLIANT CORNERS
Performers: JOHN PÅL INDERBERG, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, KÅRE GARNES, NILS PETTER MOLVÆR, OLAV DALE, PÅL T JØRGENSEN, TORE BRUNBORG, TROND SVERRE HANSEN, VIDAR JOHANSEN, ØYVIND BRÆKKE
2.TRINKLE - TINKLE
Performers: BIRGER SULSBRUCK, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, LARS STORCK
3.INTROSPECTION
Performers: JOHN PÅL INDERBERG, OLAV DALE, TORE BRUNBORG, VIDAR JOHANSEN
4.THINK OF ONE
Performers: FRANK JAKOBSEN, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, SIGURD ULVESETH, ZOLTAN VINCE JR
5.RUBY, MY DEAR
Performers: KNUT KRISTIANSEN, VIDAR JOHANSEN
6.I MEAN YOU
Performers: JOHN PÅL INDERBERG, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, KÅRE GARNES, NILS PETTER MOLVÆR, OLAV DALE, PÅL T JØRGENSEN, TORE BRUNBORG, TROND SVERRE HANSEN, VIDAR JOHANSEN, ØYVIND BRÆKKE
7.PLAYED TWICE
Performers: BIRGER SULSBRUCK, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, LARS STORCK
8.FUNCTIONAL
Performers: KNUT KRISTIANSEN
9.JACKIE - ING
Performers: BIRGER SULSBRUCK, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, LARS STORCK
10.COMING ON THE HUDSON
Performers: KNUT KRISTIANSEN, VIDAR JOHANSEN
11.BOLIVAR BLUES
Performers: JOHN PÅL INDERBERG, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, KÅRE GARNES, NILS PETTER MOLVÆR, OLAV DALE, PÅL T JØRGENSEN, TORE BRUNBORG, TROND SVERRE HANSEN, VIDAR JOHANSEN, ØYVIND BRÆKKE
12.'ROUND MIDNIGHT
Performers: KNUT KRISTIANSEN
13.PLAYED TWICE #2
Performers: BIRGER SULSBRUCK, KNUT KRISTIANSEN, LARS STORCK

Bebop & Beyond Plays Thelonious Monk

igor is the one who keeps this blog alive. thanks igor!

This CD contains one of the best Thelonious Monk tributes that have come out since the pianist/composer's death in 1982. Mel Martin (heard here in top form on tenor, soprano and flute) leads Bebop & Beyond through nine of Monk's most difficult originals, and his arrangements (which use the versatile guitarist Randy Vincent in Monk's place) are consistently inventive. Pianist George Cables, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, and Howard Johnson (on baritone and tuba) make important guest appearances, while trumpeter Warren Gale contributes many fine solos.

1 San Francisco Holiday Monk 7:10
2 Brilliant Corners Monk 7:00
3 Think of One Monk 7:30
4 Crepuscule With Nellie Monk 4:39
5 Misterioso Monk 10:41
6 Criss-Cross Monk 5:00
7 Gallop's Gallop Monk 6:32
8 Ugly Beauty Monk 4:00
9 Who Knows? Monk 5:16

Recorded February 13-15, 1990
1990 CD Blue Moon R2-79154

Don Pullen - Plays Monk

our good old friend Martin contributes this rare album. all credits go to Martin.

Is it possible to go wrong with a Don Pullen solo piano effort? Perhaps this Japanese release is a little slapdash. While probably anyone who has ever sat at a piano dreams of doing a Thelonious Monk tribute album, the wiser ones might prefer trading places with Frodo on his quest, relishing the relative ease of their new assignment. Pullen and Monk have intensity in common, but that's about all, still a lack of similarity isn't what makes this effort a bit slight. It is a more a lack of substance, with only one of the Monk tunes chosen, "Trinkle Tinkle", giving the indication that the performer is allowing himself to really be challanged by the assignment.Two of the tracks are Pullen originals, both tributes to Monk in a generic way. "'Round Midnight" is evidence that Pullen was not a sentimental player, perhaps not something the jury should hear when it comes to a verdict being passed. His "In Walked Bud" is better but his loose "Well, You Needn't" best, the latter opening the album by writing a check that the pianist winds up unable to cash. While the best tracks would make for a great single, this recording winds up being as irrelevant to the Monk legend as it is to Pullen's own extensive discography.

1 Well You Needn't Monk
2 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams
3 Monkin' Round Pullen
4 Trinkle Tinkle Monk
5 Gratitude Pullen
6 In Walked Bud Monk

Recorded October 11, 1985

Junior Mance Trio with Joe Temperly - Music of Thelonious Monk

this was in my mail today from igor and he tells us that he has two more monk album. thanks igor for making this blog alive again!

The Floating Jazz Festival, which takes place aboard the Queen Elizabeth II (previously held on the SS Norway), has been a regular source for outstanding live sets on the Chiaroscuro label. These excerpts from performances by Junior Mance and Joe Temperley are no exception, as they devote an entire program to works by Thelonious Monk. Accompanied by the highly in-demand young bassist Peter Washington and grizzled veteran drummer Mickey Roker, they've got a couple of surprises in store. First of all, Temperley, though known primarily as a baritone saxophonist, proves himself to be a capable bass clarinetist on the swinging opener, "Blue Monk," as well as a superb soprano saxophonist in the twisting blues "Straight, No Chaser." Of course, his hearty baritone is heard on the balance of the date, though the most obvious choice, "'Round Midnight," is unfortunately not present. Mance is featured with the rhythm section in a crisp workout of "Ask Me Now," and his strong chops are present throughout the disc. As an added bonus, one track ("Hackensack") from their 1996 concerts on the S/S Norway (with bassist Keter Betts and drummer Jackie Williams) wraps the CD. Recommended.

1 Blue Monk Monk 9:07
2 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 8:19
3 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are Monk 7:25
4 Ask Me Now Monk 9:13
5 I Mean You Monk 7:48
6 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 6:51
7 Straight No Chaser Monk 7:46
8 Hackensack Monk 9:42

Recorded October 28, 1006 and November 4, 2000
2003 CD Chiaroscuro 370

Joshua Breakstone - Let's Call This Monk!

excellent contribution from Thomas

A few decades ago it was considered quite unusual for any musician to record a full set of Thelonious Monk songs. However, by the time guitarist Joshua Breakstone made this trio date, everyone seemed to be recording Monk's music and the formerly forbidding pianist-composer was rightfully considered not only a genius, but fairly accessible. With the exception of "Ruby, My Dear," Breakstone (a superior cool-toned guitarist) explores the more obscure and complex Monk tunes on this set, swinging such songs as "Work," "Eronel," and "Brilliant Corners" with ease. The trio is tight, with bassist Dennis Irwin contributing stimulating lines and drummer Mickey Roker being subtle and swinging in support. Although no longer groundbreaking, this is a fine addition to Joshua Breakstone's consistently rewarding discography.

1 Let's Call This Monk 4:16
2 Work Monk 6:21
3 We See Monk 5:08
4 Reflections Monk 7:25
5 Monk's Dream Monk 8:55
6 I Mean You Hawkins, Monk 4:13
7 Ruby, My Dear Monk 8:47
8 Eronel Monk 5:38
9 Brilliant Corners Monk 5:53
10 Humph Monk 6:11

Recorded December 11, 1996
© 1997 Double-Time Records 121

T.J. Kirk - If Four Was One

The idea of three guitarists and a drummer who play the music of Thelonious Monk, James Brown and Rahsaan Roland Kirk may seem odd or limiting, but the musicianship of the players in question has produced an album that explicitly explores the connections between the compositions of these three legendary musicians while raising the stakes in the debate about what is and isn't "jazz." Scott Amendola's drumming is precisely funky throughout, and Charlie Hunter's 8-string guitar supplies both the punchy basslines and the heavily chorused chords that Will Bernard and Will Schott build upon, resulting in a tightly rendered "The Payback," a stirring version of the eternal "Ruby, My Dear" and the multiple tempos and timbres of "Brake's Sake." Worthwhile.

1 Damn Right I'm Somebody Brown, Wesley 5:07
2 Get on the Good Foot/Rockhard in a Funky Place Brown, Leeds, Mims, Prince 6:44
3 Stomping Grounds/Untitled Instrumental/Green Chimneys Brown, Kirk, Monk 5:32
4 The Payback/I Mean You Brown, Hawkins, Monk, Starks 4:05
5 Brake's Sake Monk 4:30
6 Ruby, My Dear Monk 3:21
7 Meeting at Termini's Corner/I Got a Bag of My Own/Brilliant Corners Brown, Kirk, Monk 4:46
8 Cross the Track/Thelonious Brown, Monk 4:44
9 Four in One Monk 4:31

Will Bernard Guitar, Slide Guitar
Charlie Hunter Guitar (8 String)
John Schott Guitar
Scott Amendola Percussion, Drums

Recorded April-May 1996
1996 Warner Bros. 46262

Johnny Griffin And Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis Quintet - Lookin' At Monk

courtesy of an infamous blogger. thanks as always.

Originally recorded in 1961, this tribute program features two of the best tenor saxophonists of the period along with pianist Junior Mance and a rhythm section composed of bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley (both of whom would later work as Thelonious Monk sidemen). If the program seems a bit obvious ("'Round Midnight," "Epistrophy," "Well, You Needn't," etc.), bear in mind that this was only the second all-Monk program anyone had recorded and several of these numbers had yet to attain standard status. The playing is uniformly inventive and witty (both required attributes when approaching this repertoire), and Mance is particularly to be commended for maintaining a graceful and elegant attack and not trying to praise Monk by imitation. If there's a complaint to be made here, it's with the tempos, which sometimes verge on the headlong. The arrangement of "Well, You Needn't" suffers from too much forward momentum, as does "I Mean You." On the other hand, the group's vigorous approach to "Rhythm-A-Ning" (and the honking two-note tag they append to the head) is perfect. ~ Rick Anderson

When this record was made in 1961 it could have served as an introduction to Monk's music for listeners in tune with Griffin and Davis at a time when Monk was still largely a cult figure. The reverse could easily be true in 1999, as Monk's star continues to rise and this great quintet is remembered unfairly as a stage for tenor battles. To be sure, the principal protagonists weren't shrinking violets, but they were never just honkers, either, as the great solo construction and beautiful ballad interpretations here illustrate. The blowing underlines the fact that Monk used standard changes, but Junior Mance was at pains to work in some Monkish flourishes, which he does without stretching his bluesy style uncomfortably, and the Gales/Riley rhythm team are of course tuned right in, though they hit it differently here than they did with the master. This one will remind you why you love jazz. ~ Duck Baker


Johnny Griffin (tenor sax)
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax)
Junior Mance (piano)
Larry Gales (bass)
Ben Riley (drums)

1. In Walked Bud
2. Well, You Needn't
3. Ruby, My Dear
4. Rhythm-A-Ning
5. Epistrophy
6. 'Round Midnight
7. Stickball (I Mean You)

Plaza Sound Studios, New York: February 7, 1961

Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher - Monk Materials

very kind aNd excellent contribution from mew23

A classic in modern jazz, this 2-CD set features some of the most enticing concept music ever released on disc. The first CD is an early trio recording of a live program, where Braam takes popular and obscure compositions by Thelonious Monk, and completely turns them upside down, making them his own. Along with bassist Wilbert De Joode and drummer Michael Vatcher, there is a spectacular synergy that sparks a musical encounter of continual surprise, sophistication, and humor. The second, later CD features a live quintet with two saxophonists (including altoist Frank Gratkowski), playing ten highly original Braam pieces, each of which alludes to the work of pianist Lennie Tristano. Braam steers the group through the history of jazz, from swing to free, twisting and turning along the way. The results are brilliant and highly engaging.

1 Brake's Sake Monk 3:36
2 Consecutive Seconds Macero 2:57
3 Coming on the Hudson/San Francsisco Holiday/Trinkle Tinkle Monk 9:59
4 Ugly Beauty Monk 3:38
5 Criss-Cross Monk 2:51
6 Wee See Monk 3:11
7 Oh Juh No Tsuki Monk 2:32
8 Hackensack Monk 5:19
9 Evidence Monk 3:17
10 Ask Me Now Monk 3:15
11 Humph/Children's Song/Off Minor Monk 11:24
12 Shuffle Boil Monk 5:02
13 Bye-Ya Monk 5:20

Michiel Braam - piano
Wilbert De Joode - bass
Michael Vatcher - drums

Recorded live at the Jazzmarathon Groningen (NL), December 8, 1990
Released in 1998 as Part 1 of the double CD BVHAAST CD9810/11
(Part 2 is Bentje Braam, Playing the Second Coolbook, rec. 1997)
Michiel Braam's website: www.michielbraam.com

Mike Melillo - Bopcentric

this wonderful album comes from wouter. thanks mate!

Pianist Melillo has a distinguished career as a sideman with Phil Woods, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, and others. Only recently has he begun to regularly lead his own groups. Although very much entrenched in the bop tradition, this engaging selection of tunes by Herbie Nichols and Thelonious Monk should broaden the appeal of Melillo. For one, there are few pianists who appreciate the much-neglected Nichols and can play his quirky compositions with nuance and flair. Joined by Italian bassist Massimo Moriconi and drummer Giampaolo Ascolese, the trio flawlessly runs through the changes. Melillo does not sound at all like Nichols or Monk - he plays too many notes! But, as anyone who has followed his career knows, that is his style, and he puts his individual stamp on everything he does. It works here, thanks to a good ear, attention to detail, and strong technique (AMG, Steve Loewy).

1. Hangover Triangle (Nichols) 3.07
2. House Party Starting (Nichols) 5.14
3. Lady Sings The Blues (Nichols) 5.30
4. Spinning Song (Nichols) 6.12
5. The Third World (Nichols) 3.53
6. The Gig (Nichols) 4.56
7. Monking Business (Melillo) 7.53
8. Criss Cross (Monk) 5.34
9. We See (Monk) 5.34
10. Played Twice (Monk) 3.56
11. Introspection (Monk) 5.13
12. Four In One (Monk) 4.02
13. Crepuscule With Nellie (Monk) 4.00

Mike Melillo, piano
Massimo Morriconi, bass
Giampaolo Ascolese, drums

Recorded: may 1998

Steve Duke & Joe Pinzarrone - Monk by 2

fred digs deep! thanks fred.

1 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 4:08
2 Monk's Mood Monk 5:17
3 Brilliant Corners Monk 5:02
4 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 6:39
5 Misterioso Monk 6:09
6 Well, You Needn't Monk 2:27
7 In Walked Bud Monk 4:56
8 52nd Street Theme/Blue Monk Monk 6:19

Steve Duke alto saxophone
Joseph Pinzarrone piano

1995 Sony 66975

Richard Davis - Now's the Time (Recorded Live at Jazz City)

thanks igor for this excellent recording. although it contains only one monk tune, the performance of epistrophy clocks more than 22 minutes and we thought that it would really deserve to be here.

Originally two side-long avant-garde jams on bebop standards ("Now's the Time" and "Epistrophy" which both clock in at over 22 minutes apiece), this live session was expanded upon its CD reissue with the inclusion of a version of Clifford Jordan's "Highest Mountain." Although tenor saxophonist Jordan, pianist Joe Bonner, drummer Freddie Waits and bassist Richard Davis were on the date, trumpeter Marvin "Hannibal" Peterson is the most dominant force, both as a player and in his conception of opening up the music. These very unpredictable renditions reward repeated listenings.

1 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 22:56
2 Now's the Time Parker 22:31
3 Highest Mountain [*] 17:31

Recorded
1992 Muse MCD-6005

Gary Bartz - Reflections of Monk

igor deserves appreciation

"Well, Monk, like any great composer from Beethoven on, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Mingus, Mozart any great because, see, I don't know for me, it's musicians. It's not genre, it's music. And so I studied music. But any great composer, their songs are lessons. But I'll say any great song is a lesson, which is what makes that song a hit and makes it so popular, is that there is something about that song that no one ever heard before, and so this is a new thing you have to learn. And so each song now, I realize with Monk and Trane, especially, and then when I go back, I see it with other musicians, too, is if you have a musical problem, the best way to work that problem out is to write a piece of music addressing that problem. And so then when you learn that particular piece of music, you then have added something to your musical knowledge that you didn't have before. And so that's why Monk is so important, because his music I mean, almost every song he wrote was like a musical problem. And once you solve it you have to figure out the key, you have to unlock this key, and once you unlock it, then you can play that song, you understand that song, and you understand how to apply that to other songs. So that is why he's so important for me." -- Gary Bartz, Interviewed by AAJ, 2005

1 Thelonious Monk :55
2 Brilliant Corners Monk 4:56
3 The Pennywhistle Call/Reflections Bartz, Monk 10:05
4 Played Twice Monk 6:27
5 Crepescule With Nellie Monk 4:40
6 Hackensack Monk 8:16
7 Let's Cool One Monk 8:15
8 Monk's Mood Monk, Running 9:58
9 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 8:37

Recorded November 22, 1988
1989 Steeplechase SCS 1248

James Spaulding - Brilliant Corners

thanks to igor!

James Spaulding is a very distinctive altoist and flutist whose inside/outside playing can cover anything from bop to freer improvisations. On what was surprisingly only his third recording as a leader, Spaulding is heard at the peak of his powers, leading a quartet/quintet also including pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Kenny Washington, and (on half of the selections) trumpeter Wallace Roney. They perform six Thelonious Monk tunes (including the complex title cut, the lyrical "Ask Me Now," and "Little Rootie Tootie") plus Bud Powell's "Down With It" and Miles Davis' "Little Willie Leaps." Spaulding takes four songs apiece on alto and flute, and this is his definitive recording.

1 Brilliant Corners Monk 6:15
2 Let's Cool One Monk 6:04
3 Down With It Powell 3:58
4 Reflections Monk 6:08
5 I Mean You Hawkins, Monk 5:41
6 Ask Me Now Monk 6:03
7 Little Willie Leaps Davis 5:16
8 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 6:00

1999 32 Records 32161

Paul Jeffrey Quartet - We See (Thelonious Monk Tribute)

thanks again fred!

Thelonious Monk, one of the most original and influential artists in the history of modern music, was born October 10, 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Though a musical maverick, Monk, during his lifetime, achieved great fame with numerous Carnegie Hall concerts, a feature on the cover of Time magazine, and a famous force of will that forever changed the direction of jazz music. In 1970, Paul Jeffrey replaced Charlie Rouse in Monk’s quartet, following in a long line of storied sax men including John Coltrane and Johnny Griffin. Paul Jeffrey played with Thelonious Monk for the next 7 years (until Thelonious Monk more or less quit the road). Paul Jeffrey’s long-running engagement with Thelonious Monk, while hugely important, is just one chapter in a musical life that includes stints with BB King, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie and Howard McGhee. After a full career of touring, Paul Jeffrey went on to teach Jazz Studies at Rutgers for 5 years and then, for the following 20 years, he directed the Jazz Program at Duke University in Thelonious Monk’s home state of North Carolina. --Aaron Greenwald, Director,
Duke University Performances

1 Raise Four 3:56
2 Think Of One 5:19
3 Nutty 8:10
4 Off Minor 4:59
5 Reflections 8:46
6 We See 5:28
7 Criss Cross 5:03
8 Round Midnight 9:54

Alexander von Schlippenbach - Schlippenbach Plays Monk

thanks fred

Recorded during a German tour in 1996, Schlippenbach Plays Monk teams the esteemed pianist with Ino Nobuyoshi on bass and Sunny Murray on drums. Schlippenbach has played with both sidemen previously (Nobuyoshi can be heard with the Schlippenbach/Takase-led Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and Murray on the excellent FMP album Smoke) but this tour was the first that brought them all together and the pairing brings an interesting dynamic to the often revisited Thelonious Monk songbook. Murray is the better known of the two, his wide open sense of time played a pivotal roll in the initial wellspring of the avant-garde in his work with Cecil Taylor, Albert Ayler, and on his own as a leader, too. Nobuyoshi is no slouch either and is one of the most in-demand bassists in Japan, playing with Kazumi Watanabe, Masayuki Takayanagi, Aki Takase and perhaps most notably with Lester Bowie. Of the two, Nobuyoshi is the more transmutable player, able to slip in and out of mainstream and outside playing with a deceptive ease while maintaining a distinctly confident approach; Murray isn't limited to one style of play either, but whether he's swinging cool or burning his wings ascending to the sun, one crash of the cymbal and he is recognizable as no one else other than Sunny Murray. And on their collective tight-wire of precision and fire rides is Schlippenbach in a loving set that is probably the closest thing to a straight tribute to Monk that he has been recorded. It's closer to his standards quartet work on Night and Day than his typical trio recordings with Paul Lovens and Evan Parker, but the trio does step out of its reverent circle on "Trinkle Tinkle" — a favorite of the pianists that he and Murray cut on Smoke as well — "Skippy" and "Light Blue." Schlippenbach explains his interpretation of these songs quite well in the liner notes, the summarized version could be described as reveling in Monk's atonal points of departure. Monk in fact, is a constant point of departure and return for Schlippenbach and fully immersed in Thelonious as he is here, he is rapturous; may he have many returns.

1 Bye-A Monk 4:15
2 Lokomotive Monk 2:06
3 Skippy Monk 4:29
4 Off Minor Monk 4:04
5 Let's Cool One Monk 3:38
6 Pannonica Monk 1:20
7 Evidence Monk 4:38
8 Coming on the Hudson Monk 3:54
9 Work Monk 7:17
10 Ruby My Dear Monk 5:06
11 Trinkle Tinkle Monk 6:27
12 'Round About Midnight Monk 6:06
13 Bolivar Blues Monk 4:21
14 Light Blue Monk 4:50

1997 Enja 9104

Steve Cardenas - John Beasley - Tribute to Thelonious Monk

i thought that fred was sleepy enough but i was wrong. thanks again mate!

unfortunately, no scans and no information in internet, even in both musicians' websites... but the music is great.

explore and enjoy!

John Law Trio - The Onliest : Pictures from a Monk Exhibition

the last one from fred, at least today :)

John Law has developed into one of Europe's most adventurous pianists, his originality evident in a series of projects that has ranged from the furious quartet embroilments of Exploded on Impact (Slam) to the sombrely discursive solo Talitha Cumi (FMR). The Onliest, a Monk tribute, is arguably his best work yet, his versatility as a player confirmed by the percussive “Evidence”, and the delicate shadings of “Ask Me Now”. Better still, the disc shows Law to be an astute thinker: he reinvents “Bemsha Swing” as a round and embroiders “Ruby My Dear” with prepared piano. Fine support too from Tim Wells and Paul Clarvis. --Graham Locke Jazzwise May 1997

1 Bemsha Swing 1
2 Mysterioso
3 Evidence 1
4 Ruby My Dear
5 Thelonious/Promenade 1
6 Introspection
7 Blue Monk
8 Thelonious/Promenade 2
9 'Round Midnight
10 Thelonious/Promenade 3
11 Friday the 13th
12 In Walked Bud
13 Thelonious/Promenade 4
14 Bemsha Swing 2
15 Thelonious/Promenade 5
16 Epistrophy
17 Evidence
18 Ask Me Now
19 Thelonious/Promenade 6

2005 FMR Records 38

David Mengual - Monkiana - Tribute to Thelonious Monk

fred walks out to obscure zone again and brings the fresh sounds! thanks and thanks!


Bassist David Mengual's ballsy tribute to Thelonious Monk is quite remarkable in that there are no easy marks on the arrangements, no Monk clichés in the reharmonization of the tunes, and the set is performed without a pianist. With classics like "Bye-Ya," "Brilliant Corners," "Ruby, My Dear," "Straight, No Chaser," "In Walked Bud," and "Bemsha Swing" in the mix — all of which have been murdered by countless jazzmen attempting to realize Monk's genius — are more obscure gems like "Boo Boo's Birthday," "Trinckle Trinckle," and "Ask Me Now." What makes the set work so well is Mengual's iron hand on the proceedings. He conducts like Mingus from the bass chair and allows nothing to slip past his ear. He controls tensions, tempos, and intervals. His radical reharmonizing of Monk's tunes is far more in keeping with the spirit of the composer than virtually any straight reading of them in memory. By using the bass as an instrument that bridges harmonics rather than just as a rhythm instrument — there is a trio of saxophonists and a trombonist — he accomplishes the very thing Monk himself did on the piano, which was marry melody and harmony to rhythm as an inseparable musical effect. This is a fine album with many surprises along the way. For Monk fans or for those seeking the higher echelon of younger players, this one's for you.

1 Boo Boo's Birthday Monk 6:18
2 Bye-Ya Monk 5:13
3 Monk's Mood Monk 5:34
4 Trinkle, Tinkle Monk 5:03
5 Brilliant Corners Monk 7:03
6 In Walked Bud Monk 5:57
7 Ruby, My Dear Monk 6:51
8 Straight, No Chaser Monk 5:05
9 Ask Me Now Monk 5:55
10 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk 2:11
11 Mi Querido Monk Mengual 1:04

David Mengual Bass
Victor De Diego Tenor sax
Ion Robles Tenor sax on 3,4 & 9
Norman Hogue Trombone except on 4 & 9, Vocal on 10
Jo Krause Drums

1997 Fresh Sound New Talent 019

Ellis Marsalis - An Open Letter to Thelonious

pure and noble beauty from igor.

One of the most challenging demands placed on a jazz musician is interpreting another's works while utilizing the same instrumentation as the composer. Veteran pianist and jazz educator Ellis Marsalis admits that at one point in his career, he was not objective about Thelonious Monk as a composer, preferring the bop of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. But with the passage of time and the opening of his ears to the subtle nuances of Monk's compositions, he is perfectly at ease playing his music on these 2007 sessions, which include his youngest son Jason Marsalis on drums, bassist Jason Stewart, and tenor saxophonist Derek Douget (who also doubles on soprano sax). While the opener "Crepescule with Nellie" doesn't stray too far from Monk's concept, the rollicking treatment of "Jackie-Ing" opens up the piece a good bit. Douget switches to soprano for a funky, New Orleans-flavored interpretation of "Epistrophy." The driving take of "Teo," a blues that Monk recorded just a few times, brings to the forefront one of his lesser known works. Throughout the date Marsalis keeps Monk's music very much alive with his inspired interpretations of the legend's compositions.

1 Crepuscule with Nellie Monk 4:22
2 Jackie-Ing Monk 7:19
3 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 6:19
4 Monk's Mood Monk 3:32
5 Straight, No Chaser Monk 5:30
6 Light Bue Monk 4:17
7 Teo Monk 4:47
8 Ruby, My Dear Monk 7:10
9 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 4:47
10 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 6:53
11 Evidence (Encore) Monk 4:55

Recorded October 27 & November 7, 2007
2004 Elm Records 19787

Ivo Perelman - Blue Monk Variations

third contribution from fred is breathtaking, spectacular perelman variations over monk.

This is a very brief offering by saxophone great Ivo Perelman, featuring three takes of Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk" and a variation on each one. Apparently this was recorded as a way of not wasting time; Perelman was waiting for a tuba player to arrive for a session — he was very late. Rather than let the booked time go to waste, he began playing "Blue Monk" and extrapolating upon it as a way of warming up. He had no intention of recording or releasing the work. Later, upon discovering the tape, he played it and sought to issue it after all — and with good reason. The liner notes apologize all over themselves for the CDs brevity — a little over 35 minutes. This is false modesty; these folks know they have a killer solo saxophone record here no matter how long or short it is. In fact, it just may be the perfect length for a solo set. What Perelman accomplished here is an intervallic wonder. He has taken Monk's melody and his notion of harmony and stretched them toward boundaries these notes had never encountered before. And, yes, he retains the same basic playful spontaneity the composer insisted upon each time he played his own work. The horn squawks and squeaks all over the place, using theme, voice modulation, various breathing techniques, and scalar invention to reach into the melodic and tonal harmonic bag of Monk for some fresh ideas. When Perelman blows the tune, all the wheels come off and only its chassis remains. When he moves into each of the three variations on the tune, in blues phrasing, free jazz blowing, and funky-bottom R&B swinging, he transforms his improvising into Monk's and vice versa. Perelman's respect for the structural integrity of the original remains intact even when he revamps the intervals and harmonic accents; he never quite leaves it behind, insisting on building from the same architecture the composer used to improvise upon in the original. So, for 35 minutes, the listener is treated to a truly original interpretation of Monk and his lyrical ideas. This is a classic by Perelman, no apology necessary.

1 Blue Monk 1 Monk 6:40
2 Variation 1 Perelman 8:42
3 Blue Monk 2 Monk 3:02
4 Variation 2 Perelman 3:51
5 Blue Monk 3 Monk 9:44
6 Variation 3 Perelman 4:06

1996 Cadence Records 1066

Ulrich Drechsler - Oliver Steger - Harald Tanschek Trio feat. Lorenz Raab - The Monk in All of Us

another contribution from fred. thanks again!

This recording is dedicated to the music of the great Jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. His music, although recorded and written in the 60's, still sounds fresh and modern and is full of surprises. It is music that projects uniqueness, independence and personality; qualities that have become rare in today´s music world. The musical approach of this trio to Monks music is slightly different: there´s no piano! Instead bass, contrabass, clarinet, upright bass and drums form the instrumental lineup and allow the trio to expand Monk´s music into new realms. The consummate trumpeter and Hans Koller Prize winner, Lorenz Raab rounds off this marvellous live recording in inimitable fashion.

1. Criss Cross 4:50
2. Bemsha Swing 7:23
3. Monk's Mood 5:09
4. Played Twice 6:22
5. Ruby, My Dear 4:28
6. San Francisco Holiday 8:36
7. Bye-Ya 7:54
8. Pannonica 6:53
9. Evidence 9:11
10. Monk's Dream 6:01

Ulrich Drechsler :Bassclarinet / Contrabassclarinet (07)
Oliver Steger : Double bass
Harald Tanschek : Drums
Lorenz Raab : Trumpet (02 - 04 - 06 - 07 - 09 - 10)

Ulf Adaker - Joakim Milder - Bobo Stenson - Palle Danielsson - Jonas Holgersson - Monk by five

fred contributes this lovely tribute and he seems to continue more...

"Here is someting rather special: a fresh-sounding selection of prime Monk compositions interpreted with both sensitive care and no little flair by some of Sweden's finest contemporary players..."
"... this project grew out of a considerable acquaintance with Monk's recorded legacy."
"There have been a good many Monk tributes already: this must rank as one of the most enjoyable..."
"The record was produced by Laila and Charles Gavatin's Foundation for Jazz Music. Well done to them: I look forward to their next project." -- Michael Tucker in Jazz Journal, June 2001

1. Let's Call This [4:17]
2. Worry Later [6:57]
3. Pannonica [2:55]
4. Think of One [5:41]
5. Light Blue [2:54]
6. Evidence [4:11]
7. Ugly Beauty [3:49]
8. Locomotive [3:27]
9. Bemsha Swing [6:36]
10. Ruby My Dear [5:46]
11. Bye-Ya [5:35]
12. Monk's Dream [6:20]

All music composed by Thelonious Monk
Ulf Adåker - trumpet
Joakim Milder - tenor saxophone
Bobo Stenson - piano
Palle Danielsson - bass
Jonas Holgersson - drums

Bud Powell - Tribute To Thelonious 64

sardo contributes very rare monk album. appreciated.

1. Thelonious [03:20]
2. Dialogues & Monk's Mood [03:08]
3. Ruby My Dear [02:53]
4. Stuffy Turkey [01:58]
5. I Mean You [02:49]
6. Round About Midnight [04:38]
7. Off Minor [03:46]
8. Off Minor [03:13]
9. Well, You Needn't [06:46]
10. Hackensack [04:10]
11. Straight, No Chaser [04:42]
12. Bemsha Swing [07:04]
13. I Mean You [06:22]
14. Straight, No Chaser [04:25]

Tracks No 1-7: Recorded at home, Rue de Clichy, Paris on February 16, 1964.
Bud Powell - piano; Francis Paudras - brushes (#4);

Tracks No 8-14: Recorded at Birdland, NYC on September 29,30 & October 01, 1964
Bud Powell - piano; John Ore -bass; J.C. Moses - drums;

Frank Morgan - Plays Monk

Steve Lacy - Only Monk

Steve Lacy has long been one of the foremost interpreters of pianist Thelonious Monk's music. This set is a solo soprano saxophone recital in which Lacy digs into nine of Monk's compositions. Most of the interpretations are quite concise, with all but the seven-minute "Work" clocking in at under six minutes. As usual, Lacy shows great respect for the melodies, and his improvisations are built off of the themes rather than just the chord changes. The sparse setting allows the soprano master to utilize space effectively and to take his time. The overall results, which are certainly for selective tastes, are often fascinating.

1 Evidence Monk 3:42
2 Humph Monk 3:29
3 Eronel Monk 4:38
4 Pannonica Monk 5:48
5 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 4:23
6 Misterioso Monk 5:49
7 Work Monk 7:16
8 Light Blue Monk 4:18
9 Who Knows? Monk 5:07

Recorded July 29-31, 1985
1993 CD Soul Note (Italy) 121160

Herdzin, Brzyszcz, Rodowicz, Jonkisz - We Mean Monk

good old friend sardo contributes this very rare album. thanks sardo.

Herdzin, Brzyszcz, Rodowicz, Jonkisz - We Mean Monk
GOWI CDG 48

Krzysztof Herdzin - piano;
Zbigniew Brzyszcz - tenor sax;
Piotr Rodowicz - bass;
Kazimierz Jonkisz - drums;

Recorded live at Radio Lodz, 1997
All compositions by Thelonious Monk

01. Epistrophy [0:05:08.58]
02. Ruby, My Dear [0:06:49.44]
03. Green Chimneys [0:05:17.23]
04. Blue Monk [0:04:30.01]
05. Well, You Needn't [0:04:11.61]
06. Monk's Mood [0:06:24.41]
07. Bright Mississippi [0:03:46.56]
08. Pannonica [0:03:25.23]
09. I Mean You [0:03:36.09]
10. 'Round Midnight [0:08:44.36]

Sphere - Four in One

igor is still in charge! thanks mate!

On the very day that Thelonious Monk died (February 17, 1982), the Monk tribute group Sphere — comprised of Monk's longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and Monk's former drummer Ben Riley — recorded an album of Monk tunes. Although Sphere started out as a tribute band, it also performed originals and jazz standards during its existence. The quartet recorded for Elektra Musician, Red, and Verve (including a set of Charlie Parker tunes) before disbanding after Rouse's death on November 30, 1988. Sphere re-formed in 1998, with saxophonist Gary Bartz assuming Rouse's place; that year they issued their self-titled comeback LP.

Sonny Fortune - Monk's Mood

igor, polar hunter, busy in freezing cold and continues to contribute!

Alto saxophonist Sonny Fortune has played in so many settings over the decades, it's difficult to keep them straight. Through them all, however, he has kept his reedy tone, sharp angular mode of attack, and on-the-spot sense of timing and phraseology. On this program Fortune teams with drummer Billy Hart, the late pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist David Williams, and drummer Joe Chambers for an all Monk program. There would be nothing unusual in this, except that Fortune is one of those horn players who works exceptionally well with pianists, and in Lightsey he has found the closest stylist to Monk he has ever worked with. Lightsey is perfectly suited for Monk's more dialogic harmonic sense. Check out the interplay between them on "Little Rootie Tootie," "Mysterioso," "Off Minor," and "Nutty." Lightsey lays out Monk's extrapolated harmonics with a like minded percussive, rhythmic edge, and offers a large middle range in between his two hands for Fortune to work his magic. And, like Charlie Rouse, Fortune has the canny sense of phrase to hit the accents on the falling edge each and every time. But in Fortune's playing there is no round off or softening; he's always looking to move it to something more complex and knotty. The rhythm section here, especially Joe Chambers, feels the differences between Monk's blues-oriented swing with the off-kilter rhythmic edge and the post-bop interpretation that's being offered. The program moves seamlessly from one track to the next with an ever-engaging lyric sense and virtuoso interaction between the principals. There are lots and lots and lots of Monk programs, but few of them live up to the promise of the composer. This is one that does.

1 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 6:56
2 Nutty Monk 8:50
3 Monk's Mood Monk 6:34
4 In Walked Bud Monk 6:41
5 Misterioso Monk 8:08
6 I Mean You Hawkins, Monk 5:21
7 Ruby, My Dear Monk 9:07
8 Off Minor Monk 5:57

Recorded January 25-26, 1993
1995 CD Konnex 5048

Sonny Fortune - Four in One

new hunt from polar hunter igor

After years of erratic albums (other than two obscure efforts for the European Konnex label), altoist Sonny Fortune finally made a great recording with this release. Most selections feature Fortune (who plays flute on "Pannonica") joined by pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Billy Hart; "Reflections" is a duet with Lightsey. Fortune, who admitted that he had not been very familiar with Thelonious Monk's music until 1990, performs ten of Monk's more complex compositions, including "Criss Cross," "Trinkle Tinkle," and the beautiful "Ask Me Now." Fortune plays quite passionately and really digs into the material, creating one of the finest recordings of his career.

1 Four in One Monk 6:02
2 Criss-Cross Monk 5:03
3 Reflections Monk 6:44
4 Monk's Dream Monk 8:19
5 Hornin' In Monk 7:00
6 Coming on the Hudson Monk 4:38
7 Trinkle, Tinkle Monk 5:36
8 Pannonica Monk 4:12
9 Hackensack Monk 7:17
10 Ask Me Now Monk 7:27

Recorded January 25-26, 1993
1994 CD Blue Note 28243

Bill Holman - Brilliant Corners: The Music of Thelonious Monk

alpax contributes the one from the prince of big bands. Thanks! Excellent!

Bill Holman's exploration of ten Thelonious Monk tunes is purposely a lot more Holman than Monk. Rather than trying to re-create the great pianist/composer's piano solos or small-group renditions of his songs, Holman picked out numbers that interested him and then avoided listening to Thelonious' versions. The one trait of Thelonious Monk's that is present throughout these dynamic big-band reinterpretations is the dominance of the themes, which are never far away; otherwise, the music is pure Bill Holman. The charts are sometimes (like Bob Brookmeyer's) influenced by modern classical music; the ensembles are often quite dense, with numerous different activities going on at once — a well-planned traffic jam. Many soloists are heard from, including all five saxophonists (with Perkins on alto and soprano and tenor great Christlieb making the strongest impressions), trumpeters Bob Summers and Ron Stout, and trombonists Andy Martin and Bob Enevoldsen. The individual improvisations are generally backed by complex ensembles and end up very much a part of the arrangements. The overall results (which include such highlights as "Straight No Chaser," "Thelonious," "Friday the 13th," and "Brilliant Corners") end up giving listeners a very different look at the music of Thelonious Monk, and are on the whole a major milestone in the career of Bill Holman.

1 Straight, No Chaser Monk 6:12
2 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk 6:38
3 Thelonious Monk 5:55
4 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 7:46
5 Bye-Ya Monk 5:30
6 Misterioso Monk 8:11
7 Friday the 13th Monk 8:02
8 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 4:12
9 Ruby, My Dear Monk 7:48
10 Brilliant Corners Monk 8:50

1997 JVC/XRCD 2066

Scott Amendola, Ben Goldberg & Devin Hoff - Plays Monk

igor really works hard! thanks bro!

“Why does it seem that the bands without pianists seem to be producing the best current interpretations of Monk material? Last year we had Ben Riley's gem, and now, (Plays Monk) - this thought provoking beauty - features the unlikely amalgamation of drummer Scott Amendola mixing it up with clarinetist Ben Goldberg and bassist Devin Hoff. Wisely, this trio doesn't try to "recreate" the sound of Monk's music; more often they take the melodies of these lesser known songs from the Monk canon and take them to the next idiosyncratic step. For instance, Goldberg's mid and lower ranged foray on "Reflections" perfectly captures the ponderously pensive mood. Amendola and Hoff furtively create a bustled rhythm on "Little Rootie Tootie," while Goldberg restrains the melody by playing restrained and held back loopy notes. The tension between these two forces is joyfully palpable. The band is also able to reach the out layers of Monk's cerebellum, as on the wild and wooly "Teo" and "Four In One."Hoff's bass work on the latter is a roller coaster ride in itself. The idea of taking off road excursions with Monk's vehicle was a smart concept, and these guys do some remarkable ATVing with it.”
-George Harris, All About Jazz Chicago + California

1. Skippy [4:55]
2. Boo Boo's Birthday [4:06]
3. Work [4:40]
4. Reflections [5:02]
5. Little Rootie Tootie [4:57]
6. Green Chimneys [4:01]
7. Shuffle Boil [2:38]
8. Four In One [4:33]
9. Eronel [5:49]
10. Teo [4:43]

Scott Amendola - Drums
Devin Hoff - Bass
Ben Goldberg - Clarinet

2007 Long Song Records

VA - That's the Way I Feel Now 2

great contribution from moha! thanks mate...

VA That's the Way I Feel Now 2

2/1 Four In One - Todd Rundgren - synthesizers, keyboards, guitar & drum machines; Gary Windo - alto.
2/2 Functional - Randy Weston.
2/3 Evidence - Steve Lacy - soprano, and Elvin Jones - drums.
2/4 Shuffle Boil - John Zorn - game calls, alto and clarinets, Arti Lindsay guitar & vocal, Wayne Horvitz - piano, organ, celeste & electronics, M.E. Miller - drums.
2/5 In Walked Bud - Terry Adams & Friends. Terry Adams - piano, Roswell Rudd - trombone, Pat Patrick - alto, John Ore - bass, Frankie Dunlop - drums.
2/6 Criss Cross - Shockabilly: Eugene Chadbourne - guitar, Mark Kramer -keyboards etc., David Licht - drums. (not on cassette)
2/7 Jackie-ing, same personnel as Brilliant Corners plus David Buck -trumpet, Don Davis - clarinet, Mars Williams - clarinet & tenor, Ralph Carney - bass sax & whistle.
2/8 'Round Midnight - Joe Jackson - piano, and strings.
2/9 Friday the Thirteenth - Bobby McFerrin & Bob Dorough - vocals, Dave Samuels - vibes, marimba & percussion.
2/10 Work - Chris Spedding & Peter Frampton.

A&M Rec. 1984 Hal Willner

2/11 Gallop's Gallop - Steve Lacy - soprano.
2/12 Bye-Ya - Steve Slagle - alto, Dr John - piano, Steve Swallow - bass, Ed Blackwell - drums.
2/13 Bemsha Swing - Steve Lacy - soprano, Gil Evans - electric and acoustic pianos

VA - That's the Way I Feel Now 1

great contribution from moha! thanks mate...

VA That's the Way I Feel Now 1

1/1 Thelonious - Bruce Fowler & Phil Teele - tmbs, Tom Fowler - bass,Chester Thompson - drums.
1/2 Little Rootie Tootie - NRBQ and the Whole Wheat Horns
1/3 Reflections - Steve Kahn - guitars & Donald Fagen - synthesizers.
1/4 Blue Monk - Dr John - piano
1/5 Misterioso - The Carla Bley Band with special guest Johnny Griffin.
1/6 Pannonica - Barry Harris - tack piano.
1/7 Ba-lue-Bolivar-Ba-lues-are - Was (Not Was)
1/8 Brilliant Corners - Mark Bingham, Brenden Harkein & John Scofield - guitars, Steve Swallow - bass, Joey Barron - drums.

1/9 Ask Me Now - Steve Lacy - soprano, Charlie Rouse - tenor.
1/10 Monk's Mood - Sharon Freeman - french horn.

Grencsó Kollektíva - Plays Monk

great contribution from moha! thanks mate...

From the sixties on, in all of the 80 or 90 Hungarian jazzclubs the art, piano playing and compositions of Thelonius Monk attracted a following. The pianist himself visited Budapest twice, both times in the seventies as a member of the Giants of Jazz touring group. Bearing the name of Thelonius Jazzclub, a local club operated here from 1984 to 1990 to cultivate the heritage of Monk.

From among the most famous compositions of Monk, 'Round Midnight was recorded girst, in 1962, by the Qualiton Jazz Ensemble. Straight. No Chaser was taped by violinist Csaba Deseo in 1964, on his first recording date ever. These were followed by nomerous other recordings.
- From original liner notes

István Grencsó (Alto and Tenor Saxophone)
Béla Ágoston (Bass Clarinet) - 1-6,8
István Gyárfás (Guitar) - 1-6,8
György Jeszenszky (Drums and Metalophon) - 1-5,7,8

1. In Walked Bud (Thelonius Monk) 4:19
2. Bemsha Swing (Thelonius Monk) 3:54
3. Misterioso (Thelonius Monk) 6:28
4. Epistrophy (Thelonius Monk) 6:15
5. Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonius Monk) 3:36
6. Blue Monk (Thelonius Monk) 3:24
7. Well You Needn't (Thelonius Monk) 3:45
8. Straight No Chaser (Thelonius Monk) 3:56
9. 'Round Midnight (Thelonius Monk/Bernie Hanighen/Cootie Williams) 6:55

Renato Sellani - Plays Monk

igor pushes hard!

The music of Thelonious Monk has long attracted musicians as fertile ground for improvisation, but Italian pianist Renato Sellani approached it in a very different manner. Choosing nine of Monk's most popular works, he tackled them as piano solos, emphasizing their inherent (but often overlooked) lyricism rather than turn them into show pieces for flashy arrangements. As a result, the listener is rewarded with Sellani's journey through these very familiar tunes, as the pianist retains the humor within many of them (though it is a bit more subtle); he gets more frisky with a brief, flashy introduction to "Monk's Dream" before settling down. There are two takes of "Ruby, My Dear" which both merited inclusion, while a second take of "'Round Midnight" adds tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso and trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso as the session's sole guests for a dramatic trio performance. Sellani wraps the recording with an upbeat tribute to the legendary composer, without trying to simulate Monk's compositional style. Highly recommended!

1 Blue Monk Monk 3:32
2 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Are Monk 3:19
3 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 5:19
4 Pannonica Monk 4:46
5 Ask Me Now Monk 7:08
6 Crepuscule with Nellie Monk 4:31
7 Monk's Dream Monk 4:26
8 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 4:16
9 Ruby, My Dear Monk 4:40
10 Monk's Mood Monk 6:01
11 'Round Midnight [Trio Version] Hanighen, Monk, Williams 5:43
12 Ruby, My Dear (Alternate Take) Monk 5:32
13 For Thelonious Sphere Monk Sellani 4:09

2007 Philology 318