Monk, My Dear

Tony Kofi Quartet - Plays Monk: All Is Know

2011-04-25T04:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

Billy Pierce - Epistrophy

2010-08-15T05:24:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-06T02:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

"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

2010-04-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-24T04:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T00:37:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-18T03:09:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-16T01:35:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-12T03:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T00:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T01:05:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T01:01:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T00:57:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-10T04:23:00.001-08:00

Steve Lacy - Only Monk

2010-01-10T01:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T04:38:00.000-08:00

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

Light Blue: Arthur Blythe Plays Thelonious Monk

2010-01-06T03:12:00.000-08:00

igor contributes very rare monk tribute. thanks!

Altoist Arthur Blythe and his unique quintet (comprised of guitarist Kelvyn Bell, cellist Abdul Wadud, Bob Stewart on tuba and drummer Bobby Battle) perform six underplayed Thelonious Monk songs ("We See," "Light Blue," "Off Minor," "Epistrophy," "Coming On The Hudson" and "Nutty") and these creative players (and the unusual instrumentation) put a fresh slant on Monk's music. Blythe's passionate sound throughout this inspired set is consistently memorable.

1 We See
2 Light Blue
3 Off Minor
4 Epistrophy
5 Coming on the Hudson
6 Nutty

Vinyl rip

Joe Lovano - Plays Monk Tunes

2010-01-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

Tete Montoliu - The Music I Like to Play, Vol. 3: Let's Call This

2010-01-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

the jazzman cooks again! thanks

The third of Tete Montoliu's four CDs of piano solos for Soul Note is a tribute to Thelonious Monk, not only covering nine of Monk's compositions, but also a pair of standards the late pianist enjoyed playing from time to time. Montoliu's approach to the keyboard is hardly a slavish adaptation of Monk's style, though there are some obvious influences, and as liner note writer Art Lange points out, he owes a debt to Bud Powell as well. He opens the CD with an uncredited chorus or so of the elegantly played "Jackie-Ing" before launching into overdrive for "Straight, No Chaser"; likewise, his daredevil approach to the furiously played "Well, You Needn't" is a treat. His disguised introduction to "Let's Call This" plays with the listener's ears, and he plays a modified form of stride in "Blues Five Spot." He also stretches the boundaries of the two standards "Sweet and Lovely" and "April in Paris" in a playful way worthy of Monk. It's a pity that Montoliu only recorded one more studio session as a leader following this productive date, but all of the late blind pianist's releases from his final years are well worth acquiring.

1 Straight, No Chaser Monk 4:56
2 Reflections Monk 7:02
3 In Walked Bud Monk 3:31
4 Misterioso Monk 4:32
5 Well, You Needn't Monk 3:31
6 April in Paris Duke, Harburg 4:38
7 Let's Call This Monk 3:58
8 Sweet and Lovely Arnheim, LeMare, Tobias 5:01
9 Blues Five Spot Monk 3:27
10 Monk's Mood Monk 3:54
11 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 2:44

Recorded January 28, 1990
1993 Soul Note 121230

Jerry Gonzalez - Rumba Para Monk

2010-01-05T13:22:00.001-08:00

the jazzman contributes wonderful album.

Jerry Gonzalez has referred to himself as being "bilingual" in that he is equally skilled on trumpet and congas, in bebop and in Latin music. Gonzalez succeeds in his goal of combining the two idioms without watering down either style on this essential Sunnyside CD. The first Afro-Cuban Thelonious Monk tribute has plenty of spots for the percussion of Steve Berrios and Gonzalez, but also contains many strong solos from the leader's often-muted Miles-influenced trumpet, Carter Jefferson's tenor, and Larry Willis' very un-Monk-like piano. With the exception of "Ugly Beauty," the Latin percussion is an integral part of each performance, giving this set of Monk tunes a very different perspective that is also quite flexible. A highly enjoyable set with the highlights including "Bye-Ya," "Nutty," "Little Rootie Tootie," and "Jackie-ing."

1 Monk's Mood Monk 11:13
2 Bye-Ya Monk 6:42
3 Nutty Monk 5:37
4 Little Rootie Tootie Monk 9:45
5 Misterioso Monk 10:03
6 Ugly Beauty Monk 7:26
7 Reflections Monk 9:29
8 Jackie-Ing Monk 11:29

Recorded October 27-28, 1988
1995 Sunnyside 1036

VA - 'Round Midnight Hommage a Thelonious Monk

2010-01-05T06:23:00.000-08:00

1.Round Midnight - 5'48 - Sarah Vaughan - 1973
2.52nd Street Theme - 3'17 - Tommy Flanagan - 1976
3.Misterioso - 6'36 - J. J. Johnson - 1958
4.Straight, No Chaser - 10'44 - Miles Davis - 1958
5.Ruby, My Dear - 8'43 - Dexter Gordon - 1978
6.Monk's Mood - 7'18 - Bud Powell - 1961
7.Light Blue - 2'31 - Barry Harris - 1977
8.Well You Needn't - 6'29 - Herbie Hancock - 1982
9.Crepuscule with Nellie - 2'46 - Thelonious Monk - 1963

Interpretations of Monk, Afternoon Concert

2010-01-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

contribution from seegs, seegs, seegs & seegs: thanks, thanks, thanks and thanks.

Three and a half months before Thelonious Monk died, two memorable tribute concerts took place at Columbia University. The lineup of musicians was perfect: soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy (long an expert on Monk's music), Thelonious' longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, trombonist Roswell Rudd, trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Richard Davis, either Ben Riley or Ed Blackwell on drums, and four different pianists. This legendary event was fortunately recorded, and the afternoon concert has been released in full on this 1997 double-CD set. Pianist Muhal Richard Abrams is on the first CD, while Barry Harris takes his place on the second half. Both of the pianists have a brief solo piece as a feature; Lacy takes "Gallop's Gallop" unaccompanied, and the full group jams on 11 of Monk's more difficult pieces. The unique opportunity to hear this combination of musicians and the many inspired moments make the double-CD a highly recommended acquisition for anyone interested in the music of Thelonious Monk.

CD 1 – Muhal Richard Abrams

1. Announcement
2. Introduction by Nat Hentoff
3. Crepuscule with Nellie
4. I Mean You
5. Ask Me Now
6. Gallop’s Gallop
7. Blue Monk
8. Four in One
9. Poetry by Amiri Baraka

CD 2 – Barry Harris

1. Announcement
2. Ruby My Dear
3. Light Blue
4. Eronel
5. Bye-Ya
6. Pannonica
7. Off Minor
8. Epistrophy

Interpretations of Monk, Evening Concert

2010-01-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

contribution from seegs, seegs, seegs & seegs: thanks, thanks, thanks and thanks.

A few months before Thelonious Monk's death, four sets of music (two played at an afternoon concert and two in the evening) were performed by an all-star group. The results were released in 1994 by the Japanese DIW label, but not made available in the U.S. until a pair of double CDs were put out by Koch in 1998. The second volume features the unique group (trumpeter Don Cherry, soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, trombonist Roswell Rudd, bassist Richard Davis and either Ben Riley or Ed Blackwell on drums) with Anthony Davis on piano during the first set, and his spot is taken by Mal Waldron for the latter half. Both of the pianists have features (Waldron is fine on "'Round Midnight," while Davis is outstanding on "Monk's Mood"); a couple of Waldron-Lacy duets are highlights ("Let's Call This" and "Reflections"), and there are seven numbers by the full septet. Although Cherry's chops were a bit off, the other three horn players are quite strong, and their renditions of "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues Are," "Well You Needn't," "Friday the 13th," "Rhythm-A-Ning" and the closing "Epistrophy" are quite outstanding. This was a unique band, and it is fortunate that it was put together in time; the only pity is that Thelonious Monk was not present to participate. Highly recommended to all Monk fans.

CD1 - Anthony Davis

1. Introduction by Stanley Crouch
2. Monk's Mood
3. Evidence
4. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Are
5. Thelonious
6. Well You Needn't

CD2 - Mal Waldron

1. Announcement
2. 'Round Midnight
3. Let's Call This
4. Reflections
5. Friday the 13th
6. Rhythm-a-ning
7. Epistrophy

Roswell Rudd - Steve Lacy - Misha Mengelberg - Kent Carter - Han Bennink - Regeneration

2010-01-05T04:12:00.001-08:00

In 1982, very few people were aware of late pianist Herbie Nichols' name, much less playing his music. Versatile avant-garde pianist Misha Mengelberg gathered together a noteworthy group (comprised of trombonist Roswell Rudd, soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, bassist Kent Carter, and drummer Han Bennink) to play three songs apiece by Nichols and Thelonious Monk. The musicians very much understood the composers' purposes, and on such numbers as "Monk's Mood," "Friday the 13th," "Blue Chopsticks," and "2300 Skiddoo" (the latter two had never been recorded with a group larger than a trio before), they come up with definitive treatments. Highly recommended.

1 Blue Chopsticks Nichols 6:17
2 2300 Skiddoo Nichols 8:15
3 Twelve Bars Nichols 4:25
4 Monk's Mood Monk 8:09
5 Friday the 13th Monk 9:11
6 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 4:08

1993 Soul Note (Italy) 121054

Elliott Sharp - Sharp Monk Sharp! Monk!

2010-01-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Elliott Sharp might have once been described as a skinny kid from Cleveland, Ohio who has come to steal your women and drink your beer. But that, my friends, was a long time ago. A graduate of the New York Downtown scene of the 1980s and 1990s, Sharp has branched out into string quartets, hard-core blues, electronics, orchestral music and soundtracks. His interests and imagination are never exceeded by his grasp.

That’s why his take on five classic Thelonious Monk tunes has the possibility for new insight. Sharp recorded Sharp? Monk? Sharp! Monk! as a solo acoustic guitar performance. Gone are the computer effects, noise, feedback and general mayhem his devotees have come to cherish. But with one pick and ten fingers, he takes Monk for a ride around his very eclectic block.

While Monk's music will always be the universal Monk, Elliott Sharp in this context spins the tracks as fingerpicking folk music. Where “Bemsha Swing” begins as a country yarn, it swings less Charlie Rouse and more Woody Guthrie. Sharp’s immersion into American folk and blues with his Terraplane band certainly has an effect when he puts his Monk on.

“Epistrophy” dances across the guitar neck at recognizable, then utterly unrecognizable speed. Sharp’s ballet with Monk can be a gunshot calling for you to "dance like mad" or he can whisper sweet blues. In places like this, Monk purists may demur at the pyrotechnics, but that’s just Sharp being Sharp. Where else can you hear Monk played in slide guitar mode?

Jazz history does judge on one track—that is, of course, “Round Midnight” Just as every singer must cover “Misty” this Monk signature tune is a benchmark in the end. Sharp scores here with an almost straight rendering, except for bits of a Spanish tinge!

1. Misterioso
2. Well You Needn’t
3. Bemsha Swing
4. Round Midnight
5. Epistrophy.

Elliott Sharp: acoustic guitar

Barry Harris - Plays Tadd Dameron and Thelonious Monk

2010-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Igor kindly contributes this lovely recording.

Two overlooked 70's gems from Barry Harris, both of them trio dates based around famous jazz composers! First up are 8 tracks in which Barry Harris stretches out wonderfully in a set of compositions by Tadd Dameron -- most of them familiar jazz standards from a few decades before, transformed magically by Harris in a hip 70s piano trio mode! The group here features Gene Taylor on bass and Leroy Williams on drums -- both of whom work nicely with Barry's newly discovered sweetness at the time -- an approach that's sometimes a bit warmer than his work in the 60s, and which helps make these tunes stand out in newly sensitive readings. Titles include "The Tadd Walk", "Lady Bird", "Casbah", "Our Delight", "Soultrane", "The Chase", and "Hot House".

Next up are 5 more tracks penned by Thelonious Monk, and played by Harris with a trio that includes Bill Lee on bass and Leroy Williams on drums! Harris hits the right angular modes to make Monk's music come alive, but also warms them up with a bit more sensitivity too -- slight colorings in his choice of tone, and an almost more personal feel on some of the numbers, even when taken at a fast clip. Titles include "Epistrophy", "In Walked Bud", "52nd Street Theme", and "Light Blue". CD also features a solo version of "Pannonica" from 1984, and a reading of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" from 1978 -- recorded live in Montreux with Sam Jones on bass and Leroy Williams on drums.

1 Hot House Dameron 4:33
2 Soultrane Dameron 5:40
3 The Chase Dameron 5:08
4 Lady Bird Dameron 5:04
5 Casbah Dameron 8:24
6 If You Could See Me Now Dameron 5:29
7 The Tadd Walk Dameron 3:37
8 Our Delight Dameron 4:14
9 Epostrophy Monk 3:18
10 In Walked Bud Monk 3:44
11 52nd Street Theme Monk 2:55
12 Ruby My Dear Monk 3:52
13 Light Blue Monk 2:30
14 Pannonica Monk 6:05
15 All God's Chillun' Got Rhythm Hurmann, Kahn, Kaper 5:56

2008 JazzLips 753

Steve Lacy with Don Cherry - Evidence

2010-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy continued his early exploration of Thelonious Monk's compositions on this 1961 Prestige date, Evidence. Lacy worked extensively with Monk, absorbing the pianist's intricate music and adding his individualist soprano saxophone mark to it. On this date, he employs the equally impressive Don Cherry on trumpet, who was playing with the Ornette Coleman quartet at the time, drummer Billy Higgins, who played with both Coleman and Monk, and bassist Carl Brown. Cherry proved capable of playing outside the jagged lines he formulated with Coleman, being just as complimentary and exciting in Monk's arena with Lacy. Out of the six tracks, four are Monk's compositions while the remaining are lesser known Ellington numbers: "The Mystery Song" and "Something to Live For" (co-written with Billy Strayhorn).

1 The Mystery Song Ellington, Mills 5:45
2 Evidence Monk 4:59
3 Let's Cool One Monk 6:43
4 San Francisco Holiday Monk 4:28
5 Something to Live For Ellington, Strayhorn 5:50
6 Who Knows? Monk 5:25

Monk's Music Trio - Monk on Mondays

2010-01-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

Ever since August 1999, the trio of pianist Si Perkoff, bassist Sam Bevan and drummer Chuck Bernstein has been performing the music of Thelonious Monk for two or three Monday nights a month at San Francisco's Simple Pleasures Café. On this CD, they interpret 13 Monk pieces including such difficult works as "Brake's Sake," "Hornin' In" and "Criss Cross." Si Perkoff often sounds very close to Monk although in most of his solos he also shows a bit of his own musical personality. Sam Bevan is a more fluent soloist than most of Monk's bassists and Bernstein, the group's leader, has his own approach to drumming that is quite complementary to the music. The group does not bring in any radical reappraisals to Thelonious Monk's songs so one would advise listeners to acquire the original Monk recordings first, but Monk on Mondays is an easy set to enjoy for those who want to hear newer versions of this classic material.

1 Let's Call This 6:00
2 Bye-Ya 4:37
3 Brake's Sake 4:44
4 Ruby My Dear 6:55
5 Evidence 4:43
6 Locomotive 5:50
7 Well You Needn't 6:50
8 Something in Blue 6:22
9 Hornin' In 4:59
10 Green Chimneys 3:55
11 Light Blue 7:13
12 Criss Cross 5:56
13 Straight No Chaser 6:51

Evidence - Musique de Thelonius Monk

2010-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Montreal trio Évidence approaches Thelonious Monk's songbook from a new jazz perspective. Alto saxophonist Jean Derome, electric bassist Pierre Cartier, and drummer Pierre Tanguay all have extensive experience in avant-garde music fields. This first album, simply titled Musique de Thelonious Monk, was recorded in October 1992, six years after the trio's inception. The repertoire highlights classic Monk compositions like "'Round Midnight," "Misterioso," and "Well You Needn't," but also gives attention to lesser-known tunes such as "Hackensack" and "Ugly Beauty." (Évidence's second album, Live à la Casa (2000), features more adventurous choices.) In any case, the selection itself matters little, because the force of this trio resides in its arrangements. The lack of a pianist gives these tunes new life, thanks mostly to the way Derome uses split-tones to simulate Monk's minor seconds (especially in "Hackensack") and plays around the chords to suggest them. The musicians interpret Monk's music the way they hear it in their heads. Respect for the original was a ground rule, but since the pianist himself was known to take many liberties with his compositions (and those of others), Derome, Cartier, and Tanguay didn't refrain from pursuing their pleasure — and the listener's. Yet, Musique de Thelonious Monk sounds more sober than its follow-up.

1 Hackensack Monk 3:05
2 Light Blue Monk 6:32
3 Evidence [alternate take] Monk 8:46
4 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 9:37
5 Misterioso Monk 7:14
6 Introspection Monk 5:20
7 Ugly Beauty Monk 6:32
8 Criss-Cross Monk 5:29
9 Well, You Needn't Monk 8:16
10 Boo Boo's Birthday Monk 3:51

1993 Ambiances Magnetiques 028

Marcus Roberts - Alone With Three Giants

2010-01-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

...comes from a friend. Thank you very much!

This set of unaccompanied piano solos features Marcus Roberts interpreting three Jelly Roll Morton, six Duke Ellington and six Thelonious Monk songs. Morton gets a bit shortchanged, with "Jungle Blues," "New Orleans Blues" and "The Crave" emphasizing the Spanish tinge in his music, but only certain aspects of his style. However, Roberts has Ellington (best is "Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie") and Monk (mostly lesser-known songs) down quite well. Already at this early stage, Marcus Roberts had a fairly encyclopedic style, updating older idioms with his own voice, displaying an eccentric stride style and using some modern harmonies. Excellent music.

1 Jungle Blues Morton 5:41
2 Mood Indigo Bigard, Ellington, Mills 4:12
3 Solitude DeLange, Ellington, Mills 4:03
4 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Ellington, Webster 3:34
5 Trinkle, Tinkle Monk 4:58
6 Misterioso Monk 4:28
7 Pannonica Monk 4:14
8 New Orleans Blues Morton 3:35
9 Prelude to a Kiss Ellington, Gordon, Mills 3:02
10 Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie Ellington, Mills 5:33
11 Black and Tan Fantasy Ellington, Miley 3:50
12 Monk's Mood Monk 5:36
13 In Walked Bud Monk 4:14
14 Crepuscule With Nellie Monk 3:02
15 The Crave Morton 3:32

Randy Weston - Portraits of Thelonious Monk

2010-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

The first of three albums recorded in a three day period, this CD features pianist Randy Weston in a quartet with bassist Jamil Nasser, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Eric Asante, interpreting seven of Thelonious Monk's songs. Since Monk was a major (but not dominant) influence on his style, Weston fully understands Thelonious' music without feeling compelled to closely copy his musical role model. Highlights include fresh versions of "Well You Needn't," "Misterioso" and a 13 1/2 minute rendition of "Functional."

1 Well, You Needn't McRae, Monk 9:18
2 Misterioso Monk 10:56
3 Ruby, My Dear Monk 5:29
4 I Mean You Hawkins, Monk 8:08
5 Functional Monk 13:30
6 Off Minor/Thelonious Monk 5:23

1990 Verve 841313-2

Chick Corea - Trio Music

2010-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

Pianist Chick Corea had a reunion with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes for this double LP, 13 years after they had recorded Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. The first half of this two-fer consists of duet and trio free improvisations and is sometimes a touch lightweight even with moments of interest; playing free was not as natural to Corea by this time as it had been in the '60s. However, the second album, seven Thelonious Monk compositions, comes across quite well as Corea does justice to the spirit of Monk without losing his own strong musical personality.

1 Rhythm-A-Ning (Monk) 5:06
2 'Round Midnight (Hanighen, Monk, Williams) 5:14
3 Eronel (Monk) 4:37
4 Think of One (Monk) 4:28
5 Little Rootie Tootie (Monk) 4:49
6 Reflections (Monk) 6:46
7 Hackensack (Monk) 6:13

Chick Corea Piano
Roy Haynes Drums
Miroslav Vitous Bass, Double Bass

Recorded November 1981 at Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles

Peter Bernstein - Monk

2010-01-04T05:20:00.000-08:00

Wonderful album and lovely contribution from Umba. Appreciated!

Monk, Peter Bernstein's seventh album, is also his first in four and a half years, following Stranger in Paradise, which was released in Japan. It's being issued by the newly reactivated Xanadu label, which has come back into existence mainly to reissue previous albums, and this one, although a current recording, also has the air of a retrospective. As its title suggests, it's a tribute to Thelonious Monk, employing all Monk compositions. The tribute album is a typical strategy to boost sales in jazz, of course, but the twist here is that Bernstein is a guitarist while Monk was a pianist, and in this case the only additional musicians are bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart. A pianoless trio playing Monk tunes obviously requires some adjustments, and in some cases Bernstein has effected approximations of Monk's themes rather than strict transpositions. Some notes may be harder to get to quickly enough on the guitar, and then the notes decay faster, as well. One curious effect of the changed instrumentation is that Monk's music actually sounds less unusual on the guitar than it does on the piano. Even when, as on "Work," Bernstein takes off into some odd soloing, somehow the guitar makes the music sound more conventional. Bernstein is at his most impressive when he only uses Monk for a template and, especially, when he dispenses with the rhythm section, as he does on "Monk's Mood" and "Ruby, My Dear," not to mention on "Reflections," in which, through the magic of overdubbing, he accompanies himself.

1 Let's Cool One Monk 6:33
2 Pannonica Monk 4:34
3 Work Monk 4:22
4 Brilliant Corners Monk 4:46
5 In Walked Bud Monk 5:20
6 Monk's Mood Monk 2:26
7 Well You Needn't Monk 7:14
8 Bemsha Swing Monk 6:03
9 Played Twice Monk 4:38
10 Ruby, My Dear Monk 2:24
11 Blues 5 Spot Monk 6:23
12 Reflections Monk 4:01

Charlie Rouse - Epistrophy

2010-01-04T03:49:00.000-08:00

...again from Rab. Thanks and thanks and thanks!

Although he had an extensive career, tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse is best remembered for his decade (1960-1970) as a member of the Thelonious Monk Quartet. It is only right that the last time that he picked up his horn was for a Monk tribute concert. This historic event, originally released by Landmark and reissued with one extra selection on a 1997 32 Jazz CD, finds Rouse in prime form despite the fact that he had just seven weeks to live (before passing on from lung cancer). The date was special from the start, with producer Orrin Keepnews getting Rouse to say a few words to the audience about his time with Monk. There are renditions of "Nutty" and "Ruby, My Dear" that match Rouse with pianist George Cables, bassist Jeff Chambers and drummer Ralph Penland; "Blue Monk" has Jessica Williams sitting in quite effectively on piano; the "new" rendition of "In Walked Bud" showcases vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery in a quartet with Cables, Chambers, and Penland; and, for "'Round Midnight" and "Epistrophy" (Thelonious' closing theme, which also closed the career of Charlie Rouse), the tenorman and quartet are joined by trumpeter Don Cherry. A historic occasion that resulted in near-classic music; highly recommended.

1 Some Words About Monk 3:11
2 Nutty Monk 6:57
3 Ruby, My Dear Monk 7:48
4 Blue Monk Monk 9:15
5 In Walked Bud Monk 9:29
6 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 16:22
7 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 11:10

Bobby Broom - Plays for Monk

2010-01-04T03:40:00.000-08:00

This wonderful album comes from the jazzman. Hats off!

How to play the compositions of Thelonious Monk is always a slightly awkward question, even — maybe especially — for those musicians who love and admire him the most. His apparently awkward piano style was so much a part of his strangely convoluted and rhythmically challenging compositions that to play his music in what seems like a faithful and respectful style is to run the risk of sounding like a parodic imitator. Guitarist Bobby Broom is at less of a disadvantage than his piano-playing colleagues in this regard, because of the distance automatically granted him by his instrument. He makes sly reference to this fact on the cover of this delightful album, which is designed to mimic the cover art of Monk's classic album Monk's Music — except instead of Monk himself sitting in the little red wagon, it's Broom's guitar. That allusiveness and gentle wit are everywhere present in his arrangements, and his playing as well: particularly in the elegant, almost offhandedly precise way he dances through "Work," one of Monk's knottiest compositions, and on his proud and stately rendition of "Ruby, My Dear," which is one of Monk's sweetest and loveliest. "Ask Me Now" starts off sounding just a bit awkward but then quickly falls into place; Broom's take on "Evidence" is one of the most powerful on the album, a tense and rigid head followed by a resolutely swinging solo. Bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins give Broom both the support and the space he needs to create a warm and wonderful tribute to one of America's finest composers.

1 Ask Me Now Monk, Monk 5:15
2 Evidence Monk, Monk 4:17
3 Ruby, My Dear Monk, Monk 5:40
4 In Walked Bud Monk, Monk 5:52
5 Lulu's Back in Town Dubin, Dubin, Warren 5:55
6 Reflections Monk, Monk 6:08
7 Work Monk, Monk 7:07
8 Rhythm-A-Ning Monk, Monk 4:56
9 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk, Monk 6:27
10 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Harbach, Kern 5:00

Recorded January 23-25, 2009
2009 Origin Records 82534

Steve Lacy Sextet - We See

2010-01-04T02:50:00.001-08:00

No doubt Steve Lacy possesses laudable chops in concert with a sweet, ringing tone. His Thelonious Monk influences have shaped his rather storied musical career, which is an ideology evidenced here on We See, Thelonious Monk Songbook. Naturally, Lacy's enactment of meter, depth, and space signify aspects of his Monk-based preferences and stylizations. Essentially, this a relatively straightforward set consisting of moderate to up-tempo swing vamps, accelerated by the saxophonist's gleaming choruses and Monk-like permutations. Lacy and associates perform these works with a deeply personalized and undeniably buoyant demeanor. A minor shift in strategy, however, resides within Lacy's collaboration with vibist Sonhando Estwick and trumpeter Hans Kennel. With that, the sextet pursues sequential soloing opportunities as this effort shines forth with the qualities that might parallel the birth of a sun-drenched summer's day.

1 We See Monk 6:55
2 Shuffle Boil Monk 4:30
3 Evidence Monk 6:07
4 Reflections Monk 3:27
5 Ruby, My Dear Monk 4:43
6 Eronel Monk 3:51
7 Monk's Mood Monk 5:30
8 Thelonious [*] Monk 5:32
9 Misterioso Monk 7:33
10 Well You Needn't Monk 7:54
11 Hanky-Panky Lacy 8:03

2002 Hatology (Switzerland) 569

Steve Lacy - More Monk

2010-01-04T02:49:00.000-08:00

1 Shuffle Boil Monk 4:42
2 Straight, No Chaser Monk 4:31
3 Off Minor Monk 5:20
4 Ruby, My Dear Monk 6:32
5 In Walked Bud Monk 4:16
6 Trinkle, Tinkle Monk 5:00
7 Coming on the Hudson Monk 6:27
8 Introspection Monk 6:10
9 Jackie-Ing Monk 4:10
10 Crepuscule With Nellie Monk 4:00
11 Bye-Ya Monk 4:32

1991 Soul Note (Italy)

Milt Jackson - Memories of Thelonious Sphere Monk

2010-01-04T02:47:00.001-08:00

Milt Jackson and his quartet of 1982 (with pianist Monty Alexander, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Mickey Roker) recorded three albums of material during an engagement at Ronnie Scott's Club in London. Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk had passed away two months earlier and Jackson decided to pay tribute to his old associate. The vibraphonist is in excellent form on four of Monk's standards in addition to a lengthy "Django," his own "Think Positive" and Ray Brown's "Blues for Groundhog."

1 Straight, No Chaser Monk 3:31
2 Blue Monk Monk 5:06
3 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 4:53
4 In Walked Bud Monk 4:48
5 Django Lewis 10:45
6 Think Positive Jackson 5:59
7 Blues for Groundhog Brown 7:22

Jamaaladeen Tacuma & Wolfgang Puschnig - Gemini-Gemini

2010-01-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

When it comes to pure musical excitement and energy, Gemini Gemini fits that description. Gemini Gemini the eclectic and exciting duo between Vienna's own homeboy saxophonist and composer Wolfgang Puschnig, and Philadephia's own electric bass guitarist, composer and producer Jamaaladeen Tacuma. This duo is truly a magnificent duo of two of the most closest friends on and off the world stage. Yes they have traveled the world many times over bringing their good vibrations of composed and improvised music to many. And after all of this moving around the planet, these two wonderful artist still feel the warmth and eagerness of the audience at one of their concerts. Wolfgang and Jamaaladeen share a rich history of musical bliss. They have worked with the world famous Korean group Samul Nori, vocalist Linda Sharrock, Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley and a host of groundbreaking creative musical artist [...] with the complete and sincere intention of bringing a musical smile to your face" (J.T.)

1. Bemsha Swing
2. We see
3. Well you needn't
4. Epistrophy
5. Ruby, my dear
6. Round midnight
7. Blue Monk
8. Off Minor
9. Straight, no chaser

Jamaaladeen Tacuma - basses, vocals, narration
Wolfgang Puschnig - saxes,vocals
Burhan Ocal - all oriental percussion, stringed oud

Andy Summers - Green Chimneys

2010-01-04T02:39:00.000-08:00

Guitarist Andy Summers long ago shed his Police-man's uniform to take a stab at being a jazz fusion guitarist, and this is his toughest test, tackling 13 of Thelonious Monk's most well known pieces. His backing band has some considerable talent; drummer Peter Erskine, organist Joey DeFrancesco, trumpeter Walt Fowler and cellist Hank Roberts are outstanding jazz musicians, and prove their mettle throughout. The CD overall is inconsistent, starting with an out-of-tune bass and an inaccurate reading of the title track. But it gets much better with horn charts, the precise Erskine and searing DeFrancesco saving grace on "Hackensack." Then they really get down with Monk's stealth Misterioso feel on "Brilliant Corners," and an economical Summers works effectively on "Monk's Dream." Sting sings "'Round Midnight" and botches the lyrics, but they come back strong for most of the remainder of the disc, especially with a pristine take on "Ugly Beauty," a moderately raucous "Think of One," a free-for-all "Light Blue/Rhythm-A-Ning," with Erskine cutting loose, and Summers' courteous solo acoustic finale on "Ruby My Dear." Summers is rather noodle prone, though a sharp-edged John Abercrombie-type tone creeps in occasionally. You do hear considerable riffing, and less improvisation, so if you're more into Jeff Beck than, say, Larry Coryell, bon appétit. There's a fluid ease in Summers' playing that suggests a real comfort zone and genuine love for this music. Sometimes that can go a long way, but still, this is for special tastes outside mainstream jazz.

1 Green Chimneys Monk 5:58
2 Hackensack Monk 4:38
3 Brilliant Corners Monk 3:31
4 Monk's Dream Monk 3:56
5 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 5:42
6 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk 4:58
7 Shuffle Boil Monk 5:33
8 Boo Boo's Birthday Monk 3:18
9 Evidence Monk 4:15
10 Ugly Beauty Monk 5:17
11 Think of One Monk 4:10
12 Light Blue/Rhythm-A-Ning Monk 3:20
13 Ruby, My Dear Monk 2:51

Steve Lacy - 5xMonkx5xLacy

2010-01-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

No matter how many times Steve Lacy records the music of Thelonious Monk, his enthusiasm always makes it sound as if he is exploring the themes for the first time, although his mastery of Monk's music gives away the truth. Ever since the mid-1950s, the innovative soprano saxophonist has returned to Monk's pieces on a fairly regular basis. For this Stockholm concert, ana unaccompanied Lacy starts out with concise versions of five of Monk's numbers; only "Pannonica" exceeds four minutes. His interpretations are so self-sufficient that one does not miss the other instruments, although it is quite easy to "hear" the bass and drums behind the soprano. The remaining five performances are all Lacy originals, and although not overtly Monkish, his use of the themes as the basis for his improvising, thoughtful solos (often sounding as if he is thinking aloud), and highly original yet logical evolution of his improvisations (which often feature an inventive use of repetition) make the results continually fascinating. Highly recommended.

1 Shuffle Boil Monk 3:48
2 Eronel Monk 3:49
3 Evidence Monk 3:37
4 Pannonica Monk 5:24
5 Who Knows? Monk 3:12
6 The Crust Lacy 4:31
7 Blues for Aida Lacy 5:51
8 Revenue Lacy 5:27
9 Lunch Lacy 4:13
10 Deadline Lacy 5:15

1997 Silkheart (Sweden) 144

Steve Lacy - Reflections - Plays Thelonious Monk

2010-01-04T02:33:00.000-08:00

All of soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy's early recordings are quite fascinating, for during 1957-1964, aspects of his style at times hinted at Dixieland, swing, Monk, and Cecil Taylor, sometimes at the same time. For this CD reissue (a straight reproduction of the original New Jazz LP), Lacy teams up with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Buell Neidlinger, and drummer Elvin Jones for seven Thelonious Monk compositions. The typical standbys (such as "'Round Midnight," "Straight No Chaser," and "Blue Monk") are avoided in favor of more complex works such as "Four in One," "Bye-Ya," and "Skippy"; the sweet ballad "Ask Me Now" is a highpoint. Lacy always had an affinity for Monk's music and, even nearly 40 years later, this set is a delight.

1. Four In One
2. Reflections
3. Hornin' In
4. Bye-Ya
5. Let's Call This
6. Ask Me Now
7. Skippy

Steve Lacy - Soprano Sax
Mal Waldron - Piano
Buell Neidlinger - Bass
Elvin Jones - Drums

Recorded October 17, 1958

Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis Plays Monk

2010-01-04T02:29:00.000-08:00

As the fourth volume of Wynton Marsalis' ongoing Standard Time project, as well as the first volume of his planned eight-disc series Swinging into the 2, Marsalis Plays Monk arrives with some baggage — but it isn't as great as the baggage that comes with tackling the compositions of Thelonious Monk, one of the greatest and most idiosyncratic composers in jazz history. Marsalis takes two different tactics to distinguish himself. He avoids the obvious choices, the songs that have long been part of every jazz musician's repertoire — no "'Round Midnight" or "Well, You Needn't" will be heard here — and focuses on a selection of 14 tunes that illustrate the complexity and diversity of Monk's music. Secondly, Marsalis decided to give all these songs clean, direct arrangements, which makes this music more accessible. To some listeners, it may be a little disconcerting to hear the rough edges sanded away, but these precise arrangements are quite engaging in their own right, demonstrating the versatility of Monk's compositions. Marsalis might not offer anything new, but with his stellar supporting band — including tenor saxophonists Walter Blanding and Victor Goines, alto saxophonist Wessell Anderson, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Eric Reed, bassists Ben Wolfe and Reginald Veal, and drummer Herlin Riley — he's made an enjoyable classicist jazz LP that happens to be an affectionate tribute to a true master.

1 Thelonious Monk 4:51
2 Evidence Monk 4:26
3 We See Monk 3:20
4 Monk's Mood Monk 3:02
5 Worry Later Monk 6:15
6 Four in One Monk 5:49
7 Reflections Monk 6:15
8 In Walked Monk Monk 4:23
9 Hackensack Monk 3:04
10 Let's Cool One Monk 4:11
11 Brilliant Corners Monk 4:50
12 Brake's Sake Monk 6:59
13 Ugly Beauty Monk 2:38
14 Green Chimneys Monk 4:42

1999 Sony Music Distribution 67503

Kronos Quartet & Ron Carter - Monk Suite

2010-01-04T02:26:00.000-08:00

The Kronos Quartet, a very open-minded classical string quartet, caused a lot of eyebrows to be raised with this unusual set. They perform eight Thelonious Monk compositions and two Duke Ellington pieces that Monk had recorded. All of the notes played by the strings were written out in advance by arranger Tom Darter but the improvising bassist Ron Carter is a major asset on five of the selections which are placed in a "Monk Suite." In addition, the two Ellington numbers have the Kronos Quartet joined by bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Eddie Marshall. Fortunately, the string arrangements are very much in Monk's style, with many of the lines taken directly off of the pianist's recordings. This unique set is worth checking out.

1 Well you needn't Monk 4:59
2 Rhythm-a-ning Monk 3:05
3 Crepescule with Nellie Monk 2:39
4 Work(s)~Off Minor / Epistrophy Monk 8:16
5 Round Midnight, song Hanighen, Monk, Williams 4:34
6 Misterioso Monk 4:01
7 It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing) Ellington, Mills 4:03
8 Black and Tan Fantasie Ellington, Miley, Mills 3:43
9 Brilliant Corners Monk 5:07

Bud Powell - Portrait of Thelonious

2010-01-04T02:22:00.000-08:00

This CD reissue is one of the most rewarding Bud Powell recordings to come from his period in France. Powell (along with bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Kenny Clarke) explores four of Thelonious Monk's tunes, Earl Bostic's "No Name Blues" and the standard "There Will Never Be Another You" but it is the final two numbers ("I Ain't Foolin'" and "Squatty") which really find the bop master at his most spirited and swinging. This very rewarding CD releases for the first time the alternate take (a faster rendition without a clear melody) of "Squatty," a song that (based on its original version) deserves to be revived. One oddity: the applause heard throughout this release was added on later because this was actually a studio album.

1 Off Minor Monk 5:20
2 There Will Never Be Another You Gordon, Warren 4:17
3 Ruby, My Dear Monk 5:46
4 No Name Blues Bostic 6:38
5 Thelonious Monk 3:46
6 Monk's Mood Monk 7:06
7 I Ain't Foolin' Albertine 3:19
8 Squatty Fahey 5:48
9 Squatty [alternate take] Fahey 5:04

Anthony Braxton - Six Monk's Compositions

2010-01-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

The band Anthony Braxton assembled for this unique exploration of the compositions of Thelonious Monk is one of the wonders of the composer's retinue. Braxton, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Buell Neidlinger, and drummer Bill Osborne use six Monk tunes and go hunting for harmonic invention; in order, they are "Brilliant Corners," "Reflections," "Played Twice," "Four in One," "Ask Me Now," and "Skippy." From the jump, the listener can tell this is no ordinary Monk tribute. The music is fast, skittering along at a dervish's pace on "Brilliant Corners," and Braxton's horn — an alto on this album — moves right for that street where interval meets modulation and sticks his solo in the center, careening over the arrangement — which is what the tune is in essence, an arrangement rather than a "song" — and slipping just behind the beat to allow Waldron's brittle, almost angular percussive sonority to define the melody enough to move around the harmonic framework. And this is only the beginning. The other five compositions here are treated in a similar fashion, in that they are radically reinterpreted, played and executed with a degree of musicianship seldom found on any tribute. Braxton's intent was to get at the knotty — even nutty — harmonic and rhythmic idiosyncrasies that make Monk's music connect so deeply and widely yet remain difficult to interpret correctly. If all you get is a listen to "Four in One" or "Skippy," just listen to how completely each of these musicians reinvents himself to approach the material. On alternating tunes, Braxton and Waldron provide the catalyst, but all four become changelings in light of this intense and addictive harmonic conception.

1 Brilliant Corners Monk 9:24
2 Reflections Monk 4:58
3 Played Twice Monk 6:51
4 Four in One Monk 9:41
5 Ask Me Now Monk 6:35
6 Skippy Monk 6:43

1993 Black Saint (Italy) 120116

Jessica Williams - In the Key of Monk

2010-01-04T02:19:00.000-08:00

Jessica Williams' career took off during the 1990s with a series of memorable recordings for the Canadian label Jazz Focus, and this solo piano tribute to Thelonious Monk is one of her best live performances. She establishes her own voice right away with a playful approach to "Bemsha Swing," playing part of the introduction while muting the piano's strings with one hand, making use of the full range of the keyboard in the body of the piece. She throws Monk-like twists into her interpretation of one of his favorite standards, "Just a Gigolo." Not satisfied with just covering Monk's best-known works and songs by others that he enjoyed playing, she delves into the pianist's less-frequently played compositions, such as the discordant "San Francisco Holiday" and his loping "Blues at the Five Spot," while also dedicating pieces of her own to Monk (the reflective ballad "I Remember Monk") and his longest-serving sideman, tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse (the alternately tricky and jaunty "The House That Rouse Built"). Highly recommended.

1 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk 4:38
2 Just a Gigolo Brammer, Caesar, Casucci 4:31
3 Reflections Monk 6:02
4 I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams Fitch, Fitch, Lowe 3:01
5 Monk's Mood/Crepuscule With Nellie Monk 5:12
6 Monk's Hat Williams 5:09
7 San Francisco Holiday Monk 5:28
8 I Remember Monk Williams 4:44
9 The House That Rouse Built Williams 5:46
10 Pannonica Monk 5:22
11 Ask Me Now Monk 6:29
12 Blues Five Spot Monk 6:36

2003 Jazz Focus 29

Miya Masaoka Trio - Monk's Japanese Folk Song

2010-01-04T01:59:00.000-08:00

Japanese koto wonder Miya Masaoka teams up with bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Andrew Cyrille for a set of originals, traditional tunes, and — as indicated in the title — Monk numbers. The koto is a harp that has existed in Japan since antiquity. It and the shakuhachi flute are the only two traditional instruments of Japanese origin that co-exist in royal court music as well as command a long, richly variegated folk lineage. Masaoka is first and foremost a folk musician and an improviser; her jazz leanings inform them both. Her command of the jazz and improvisational idioms here is total. She is unquestionably the bandleader, despite the lofty, well-deserved reputations of her accomplices. The set begins in the traditional vein with "Japanese Folk Song," utilizing the large timbral palette of the koto and the subtle bowed tonalities Workman adds via the bass. It is on "Monk's Mood," however, that the set truly kicks into gear with an eerie reading of the composer's melody as interpreted by an instrument not even tuned to the diatonic scale! Masaoka's reading of the lyric line is one of subtlety, grace, and, above all, musical aplomb. Her understanding of Monk's harmonic principles is without compare as she whispers forth from the tune's "sung" aspect rather than its rhythmic considerations. This is also true of "Evidence," which slips just off the metered axis to reveal a greater sense of space and even pacing than what has been the popular conception. "Epistrophy" becomes a study in shades and colors with interesting runs by Workman against Masaoka's conception of the melody and Cyrille's successful attempt to at least unite the composition in rhythm. The set closes with a tribute piece, the seven-minute "Monk's Sigh in July," a deeply meditative piece reflecting the elongated modal motifs in Monk's mature work with Columbia and even Black Lion when he was reinventing himself once again. It's a bit smarmy in how obvious it is, but it is also an ingenious use of drone against harmony and a deft methodology for creating open improvisational space. This disc is a winner.

1 Japanese Folk Song/Kojo No Tsuki Taki 6:12
2 Monk's Mood Monk 6:15
3 Aubade Cyrille 5:18
4 Evidence Monk 3:06
5 A Shinto "Midnight" Hanighen, Monk, Williams 6:57
6 Snow Capped Hats Masaoka 6:27
7 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 5:43
8 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 5:15
9 Monk's Sigh in July Masaoka 7:36

Dominic Duval & Jimmy Halperin - Monk Dreams

2010-01-04T01:47:00.000-08:00

There's something almost contradictory about Monk compositions: they're insistently individualistic, built on odd chord changes with often minimalist melodies. But as idiosyncratic as they are, they often succeed in bringing out what's best in the musicians playing them, as if those tunes are open to individuality as well as being the product of it. Through the years musicians of wildly divergent styles have approached Monk's music: the piquant Steve Lacy, exuberant Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, amiably bombastic Misha Mengelberg and magisterial Coleman Hawkins. These two trips into the Monk canon may not produce results as distinctive as any of those but they're solid efforts possessed of substantial personality...

…The duo of saxophonist Jimmy Halperin and bassist Dominic Duval let you know right away what side of Monk they're most interested in, opening and closing with "Brilliant Corners," perhaps the most 'angular' and abrasive of Monk's compositions. Halperin and Duval take it in stride—well, make that tense stride. Halperin really leans into this music, creating swirling patterns on "Off Minor," "Blue Monk" and "Monk's Dream" that gives them a very different feel from the usual accounts. Duval provides solid support, articulating the themes with characteristic ease. The duo enjoys consistent communication, creating a fine three-way dialogue with Monk's compositions. Halperin's exploratory edge is evident throughout. The duo released a similar CD of Monk tunes a couple of years ago, called Monkinus, on CIMP. Monk Dreams isn't a sequel. It was actually recorded earlier and includes many of the same tunes. It's a good date, however, interesting in itself as well as a complement to the later recording.

1. Brilliant Corners (5'38)
2. Off Minor (3'50)
3. Epistrophy (7'08)
4. Monk's Dream (7'34)
5. Trinkle, Tinkle (4'28)
6. Evidence (5'18)
7. Bye-Ya (4'38)
8. Criss Cross (4'07)
9. Blue Monk (4'44)
10. Ruby, My Dear (6'09)
11. Brilliant Corners (Alternative) 5'38

Jimmy Halperin tenor and soprano saxophones
Dominic Duval bass
Notes by Stuart Broomer, All About Jazz
All Compositions by Thelonious Monk, arranged by Dominic Duval and Jimmy Halperin
2009 NoBusiness Records NBCD 2
Edition of 1000 CD's
Recorded December 5, 2005

Danilo Perez - Panamonk

2010-01-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

This is one of the more interesting Thelonious Monk tribute albums of the 1990s. Pianist Danilo Perez does not really sound much like Monk except in a couple places on purpose, but he has clearly learned from Monk's music, particularly in his use of space and quirky dissonances. The trio performances range from respectful ballads and Latinized treatments of Monk tunes to originals that somehow fit logically into the mood of the set. Perez takes "'Round Midnight" and the two brief versions of "Monk's Mood" (which open and close the CD) unaccompanied, interacts closely with bassist Avishai Cohen on the other pieces, welcomes the haunting wordless vocal of Olga Roman to "September in Rio," and utilizes either Terri Lyne Carrington or Jeff Watts on the nine trio pieces. The music overall is adventurous, rhythmic, and quite joyful. A memorable outing by the talented Danilo Perez.

1 Monk's Mood 1 [version] Monk :42
2 PanaMonk Perez 4:22
3 Bright Mississippi Monk 5:39
4 Think of One Monk 4:17
5 Mercedes' Mood Perez 4:51
6 Hot Bean Strut Perez 5:13
7 Reflections Monk 5:54
8 September in Rio Perez 3:54
9 Everything Happens to Me Adair, Dennis, Perez 6:26
10 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 5:25
11 Evidence/Four in One Monk 4:44
12 Monk's Mood 2 [version] Monk :43

1996 GRP Records 190

David Murray - Aki Takase - Blue Monk

2010-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Pulled this one off the shelf the other day. The case was kinda dusty. Hadn't been played for years. I was thinking that Aki Takase has recorded quite a few duets with reed players sinse this was put out back in the early nineties and most of them are quite satisfying. Blue Monk with David Murray is in that category as well.

From the first notes on, it's clear that Aki Takase has a great feel for Monk's music (partner Alex Schlippenbach shares her affinity). Takase's confident pianistics are outstanding throughout. Although just four of the ten numbers are from Thelonious' pen, the session itself is somehow permeated in Monk.

David Murray would seem to be a logical choice for a Charlie Rouse replacement, if Monk were alive today. He has always been a strong player with an infinite amount of energy and imagination. His musical contributions on numerous projects are always an added bonus. His tenor and bass clarinet work on this album are typical Murray, full of zest and spunk, probing, daring, and true to the roots melodic.

"Ellingtonia" with Murray on bass clarinet and Takase's old school finger popping is one of the highlights for these ears. "Body and Soul" is given a gut wrenching workout that doesn't break a sweat, but doesn't have to. The final-and longest-cut on the disc, a Murray original entitled "Ballad For The Blackman" is an emotional tour-de-force indicating that Murray's playing definetely is a continuance of the tenor tradition. The rest of the program is just as varied and interesting.

This studio session is getting close to twenty years old now, yet still retains some of the original magic from that day. Non-essential but nice to have. -John C. Graham

1 Blue Monk Monk 3:13
2 Ask Me Now Monk 4:54
3 Presto V.H. Takase 5:02
4 Body & Soul Green 7:08
5 Ellingtonia Murray, Takase 3:05
6 Bright Mississippi Monk 6:50
7 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Monk 7:37
8 Mr. Jelly Roll Mingus 3:44
9 Kaiso Takase 6:32
10 Ballad for the Blackman Murray 11:28

Carmen McRae - Carmen Sings Monk

2010-01-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

Carmen McRae, a good friend of Thelonious Monk, sang 13 of his songs (two of which are also heard in different live versions) on this memorable project. Half of the lyrics are by Jon Hendricks, while the remainder were written by Abbey Lincoln ("Blue Monk"), Bernie Hanighen, Sally Swisher, or Mike Ferro. On all but the two concert performances, McRae is assisted by tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Al Foster; Mraz's solos are particularly impressive, although everyone is in sensitive form. The live recordings give listeners two more chances to acknowledge the uniqueness of tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse's tone. As for McRae, her phrasing has rarely sounded better than on this classic set, and it is a particular pleasure to hear her interpret the intelligent lyrics and unusual melodies. "Dear Ruby" ("Ruby, My Dear") and "Listen to Monk" ("Rhythm-A-Ning") are among the high points of the essential and very delightful CD. An inspired idea and one of the best recordings of Carmen McRae's career. [The album's 2001 reissue included bonus tracks.]

1 Get It Straight (Straight, No Chaser) [live] Monk, Swisher 3:57
2 Dear Ruby (Ruby, My Dear) Monk, Swisher 6:01
3 It's Over Now (Well, You Needn't) Ferro, Monk 5:27
4 Monkery's the Blues (Blue Monk) Lincoln, Monk 4:56
5 You Know Who (I Mean You) Hawkins, Hendricks, Monk 3:30
6 Little Butterfly (Pannonica) Hendricks, Monk 5:14
7 Listen to Monk (Rhythm-A-Ning) Hendricks, Monk 3:05
8 How I Wish (Ask Me Now) Hendricks, Monk 4:55
9 Man, That Was a Dream (Monk's Dream) Hendricks, Monk 2:54
10 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 6:32
11 Still We Dream (Ugly Beauty) Ferro, Monk 3:34
12 Suddenly (In Walked Bud) [live] Hendricks, Monk 3:41
13 Looking Back (Reflections) Hendricks, Monk 5:37
14 Suddenly (In Walked Bud) [alternate take/#] Hendricks, Monk 3:11
15 Get It Straight (Straight, No Chaser) [alternate take/#] Monk, Swisher 3:31
16 'Round Midnight [alternate take/#/*] Hanighen, Monk, Williams 7:13
17 Listen to Monk (Rhythm-A-Ning) [alternate take/#/*] Hendricks, Monk 3:01
18 Man, That Was a Dream (Monk's Dream) [alternate take/#/*] Hendricks, Monk 3:23

2001 RCA Records 63841

Tommy Flanagan - Thelonica

2010-01-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

This one comes from infamous_blogger too. Thanks again!

Recorded just ten months after Thelonious Monk's death, pianist Tommy Flanagan's tribute features eight of Monk's compositions plus Flanagan's own "Thelonica." Assisted by bassist George Mraz and drummer Art Taylor, Flanagan does not sound at all like Monk but he recaptures his spirit and hints strongly now and then at his style on this fine (and often introspective) outing.

1 North of the Sunset Monk 4:23
2 Light Blue Monk 5:31
3 Off Minor Monk 5:07
4 Pannonica Monk 7:03
5 Ask Me Now Monk 4:13
6 Thelonious Monk 4:14
7 Reflections Monk 7:34
8 Ugly Beauty Monk 5:06
9 Thelonica Flanagan 5:17

1990 Enja 4052

Paul Motian - Monk in Motian

2010-01-03T11:19:00.001-08:00

This is an utterly fascinating tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk. Most of the selections feature the unusual trio of tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Bill Frisell (who with his wide range of original sounds is really a one-band band), and drummer Paul Motian. Tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman and pianist Geri Allen are guests on two songs apiece and fit in quite well with the sparse but very complete trio. Among the ten Monk songs explored, taken apart and given surprising treatment are "Evidence," "Bye-Ya," "Ugly Beauty," and "Trinkle Tinkle." Recommended to open-eared listeners.

1 Crepuscule With Nellie Monk 4:57
2 Justice (Evidence) Monk 4:41
3 Ruby, My Dear Monk 4:52
4 Straight, No Chaser Monk 4:27
5 Bye-Ya Monk 5:00
6 Ugly Beauty Monk 4:57
7 Trinkle, Tinkle Monk 4:55
8 Epistrophy Clarke, Monk 7:01
9 Off Minor Monk 4:20
10 Reflections Monk 4:48

Recorded March 1988
1991 Jmt 834421

Dave Liebman - Monk's Mood

2010-01-03T11:17:00.001-08:00

Tenor saxophone, bass, and drums make for a pretty stark instrumentation, and when you combine that kind of textural austerity with the sometimes forbiddingly jagged melodies of Thelonious Monk, you might not expect the results to be very attractive. Actually, however, saxophonist Dave Liebman has several things working in his favor: first of all, he's got Eddie Gomez on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums, both of whom are known for greater-than-average endowments of taste and inventiveness. The two are supremely capable of simultaneously keeping things interesting and holding down the fort rhythmically and harmonically. The other thing Leibman has going for him is an acute sense of both the deep weirdness and the joy of Monk's music. He romps gleefully through "Teo" and "Monk's Dream" in a relatively straightforward way, but makes "Gallop's Gallop" a three-way improv (following an extended drum intro) that falls away entropically from its thematic center before limping back to a semblance of coherence at its squawking end. The program is bracketed by two very different versions of "Monk's Mood," the first a trio performance and the last a duet between Gomez and Liebman on piano. This might not be the ideal introduction to Thelonious Monk's music, but for those who have heard these tunes a hundred times before and are ready for a different approach, this disc will be revelatory. - Rick Anderson
All Music Guide

1 Monk's Mood Monk 2:33
2 Teo Monk 4:39
3 Pannonica Monk 5:40
4 Nutty Monk 7:48
5 Reflections Monk 5:14
6 Gallop's Gallop Monk 8:08
7 Ugly Beauty Monk 6:00
8 Monk's Dream Monk 5:46
9 Introspection Monk 5:19
10 Skippy Monk 4:36
11 Monk's Mood Monk 2:18

Recorded January 31, 1999
1999 Double-Time Records 154

Alexander von Schlippenbach - Monk Casino

2010-01-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

This on comes from infamous_blogger. Thanks, always!

The jazz world owes a deep debt of gratitude to pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, who undertook in 2003 and 2004 a project that was long overdue: a recording of everything written by the eccentric genius Thelonious Monk. In retrospect, it seems crazy that no one else had done this before: Monk's oeuvre isn't very extensive -- the core repertoire of his compositions would fit easily on a single disc -- and yet there are a dozen or so pieces that are rarely played and a handful that had never been recorded before this. The three discs in this box set are, therefore, a very nice mixture of the familiar ("Ruby, My Dear," "In Walked Bud," "'Round About Midnight," "Epistrophy") and the less familiar ("Brake's Sake," "Green Chimneys") with a smattering of delightful, if sometimes rather slight, complete obscurities ("Oska T," "Raise Four," "Consecutive Seconds"). In creating this musical monument, Schlippenbach had two basic approaches to choose from: he could either play the tunes in a relatively straightforward style, offering both an enjoyable tour of the Monk book and a handy reference tool for other players, or he could interpret the music more freely, using this kaleidoscopic assortment of quirky melodies as a framework on which to build his own personal jazz statement. For better or for worse, he took the latter approach, arranging the tunes for an unusual ensemble (trumpet and bass clarinet with piano trio) and in sometimes startlingly abstruse ways, combining multiple tunes into medleys and sometimes bopping back and forth between different compositions within a single track. The result is sometimes brilliant and occasionally questionable, but there's never any doubt about Schlippenbach's understanding of and affection for the material. The irreverence with which he approaches Monk's music is something that Monk himself would surely have appreciated -- and yet there's a constant and deep undercurrent of loving admiration running beneath every bar he plays. This set would not make a very good introduction to Monk's music; newcomers are more likely to find it baffling than enlightening. But those already familiar with the music will hear Schlippenbach's interpretations as a breath of fresh, if sometimes astringent, air. Highly recommended.

CD 1

1.Thelonious (03.18)
2.Locomotive (01.37)
3.Trinkle-tinkle (04.10)
4.Stuffy turkey (00.44)
5.Coming on the Hudson (03.40)
6.Intro Bemsha swing (03.29)
7.Bemsha swing/2nd Street theme (05.10)
8.Pannonica (01.36)
9.Evidence (04.25)
10.Misterioso/Sixteen/Skippy (10.05)
11.Monk's point (01.23)
12.Green chimneys/Little rootie tootie (05.21)
13.San Francisco holiday (01.20)
14.Off minor (02.23)
15.Gallop's gallop (05.35)
16.Crepuscule with Nellie (02.17)
17.Hackensack (03.56)
18.Consecutive second's (02.47)

CD 2
1.Brilliant corners (04.14)
2.Eronel (03.36)
3.Monk's dream (02.19)
4.Shuffle boil (02.46)
5.Hornin' in (05.21)
6.Criss cross (03.19)
7.Introspection (04.14)
8.Ruby, my dear (00.58)
9.In walked Bud (04.22)
10.Let's cool one/Let's call this (03.53)
11.Jackie-ing (02.45)
12.Humph (03.11)
13.Functional (00.53)
14.Work/I mean you (03.53)
15.Monk's mood (03.21)
16.Four in one/Round about midnight (06.21)
17.Played twice (05.37)
18.Friday the 13th (01.24)
19.Ugly beauty (02.45)
20.Bye-ya/Oska T. (00.48)

CD 3

1.Bolivar blues/Well you needn't (02.48)
2.Brake's sake (01.22)
3.Nutty (02.41)
4.Who knows (02.28)
5.Blue hawk/North of the sunset/Blue sphere/Something in blue (01.40)
6.Boo Boo's birthday (04.31)
7.Ask me now (05.12)
8.Think of one (02.29)
9.Raise four (00.58)
10.Japanese folk song/Children's song/Blue Monk (05.35)
11.We see (03.11)
12.Bright Mississippi (02.41)
13.Reflections (01.48)
14.Five Spot blues (01.29)
15.Light blue (00.59)
16.Teo (03.47)
17.Rhythm-a-ning (05.57)
18.A merrier Christmas (00.41)
19.Straight no chaser/Epistrophy (06.43)

Fred Hersch - Thelonious

2010-01-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

Pianist Fred Hersch has a very different style than Thelonious Monk did, and on this solo tribute CD, he does not attempt to closely emulate Monk. Hersch does hint at Thelonious in spots on the 13 Monk compositions, but mostly performs in a sparse, melodic and quietly playful manner. His interpretations of such songs as "In Walked Bud," "Ask Me Now," "Let's Cool One" and "Misterioso" (which he calls "Five Views of Misterioso") are tasteful yet full of subtle invention. A pleasing and respectful effort.

1 'Round Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 3:44
2 In Walked Bud Monk 4:48
3 Crepuscule with Nellie/Reflections Monk 4:51
4 Think of One Monk 5:30
5 Ask Me Now Monk 5:30
6 Evidence Monk 3:31
7 Five Views of Misterioso Monk 7:01
8 Let's Cool One Monk 4:50
9 Bemsha Swing Best, Monk 3:15
10 Light Blue/Pannonica Monk 6:07
11 I Mean You Hawkins, Monk 4:17
12 'Round Midnight (Reprise) Hanighen, Monk, Williams 1:40

1998 Nonesuch Records 79456

Bennie Wallace - Plays Monk

2010-01-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Recorded a year before pianist/composer Thelonious Monk's death, this tribute by Bennie Wallace features the dynamic tenor in trios with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Dannie Richmond plus three quartets with the addition of trombonist Jimmy Knepper. Wallace's eccentric interval jumps and very expressive sound (along with his advanced harmonic knowledge) made him a natural to explore Monk's music and he pours plenty of passion into these improvisations. In addition to seven of Monk's compositions, Wallace contributes his own "Prelude"; the CD reissue adds a second version of "'Round Midnight" to the original program. This colorful and chancetaking session can act as an introduction to both Bennie Wallace and Monk's music.

1 Skippy Monk 5:36
2 Ask Me Now Monk 5:38
3 Evidence Monk 5:23
4 'Round About Midnight Hanighen, Monk, Williams 6:57
5 Straight, No Chaser Monk 6:01
6 Prelude Morehead, Wallace 1:23
7 Ugly Beauty Monk 7:00
8 Variation on a Theme (Trinkle Tinkle) Wallace 4:13
9 'Round About Midnight [alternate take/#] Hanighen, Monk, Williams 8:07

Recorded March 4-5, 1981
1994 CD Enja 3091

EST Plays Monk

2010-01-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

Thelonius Monk was one of the truly great piano geniuses on the international jazz scene.

Esbjörn Svensson is one of the truly great piano talents on the Scandinavian jazz scene.

In some way you knew that they had to meet sooner or later. At last spiritually. And musically. "Plays Monk" is the telling title of the CD from 1996 by Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST), now released on ACT. Ten of the most beloved songs by Monk, from nocturnal, lovingly caressing "`Round Midnight" to the gay and sprightly "Rhythm-A-Ning", gets here a becomingly shining new colour.

In EST, who previously has released some critically acclaimed albums – "From Gagarin´s Point Of View "(ACT 9005-2), "Winter In Venice" (ACT 9007-2) and lately "Good Morning Susie Soho" (ACT 9009-2) – we have Magnus Öström on drums, Dan Berglund on double-bass and, of course, Esbjörn Svensson himself, who was an infant when he practically learnt to walk to the sound of "In Walked Bud".

"My father was and is a great jazz lover. So I was very young when I first came in touch with Monk´s music. He is the kind of composer that cannot be avoided", says Esbjörn Svensson. The music of Thelonius Monk is a peculiar mixture of simplicity and and complexity; of larguorous ballads and rhythms turned inside out. The music is a challenge. "You can always give it your personal touch", explains Esbjörn.

On "Plays Monk" you notice this over and over again. EST has for instance made is own interpretation of the classic "`Round Midnight", complete with a new string arrangement signed Esbjörn Svensson. The haunting string section is played by four members of the Swedish radio Symphony Orchestra.

Both Monk and EST have a common determination to go beyond the sometimes rather narrow items of jazz music. This is noticeable if we take a look at the musical past of the trio, who has played with such diverse luminaries as Rebecka Trnkvist, Nisse Landgren, Svante Thuresson, Lisa Nilsson and Louise Hoffsten.

This is definitely a trio who seeks challenges; who wants to try the unexpected. And the spirit of Monk is certainly here, hovering over the recordings that were made together with a producer we do normaly not connect with jazz: Johan Ekelund, who is probably most wellknown as one half of the successful soulpop duo Ratata. "He brought fresh ideas into this project. I certainly hope we can record together gaian", said Esbjörn, who doesn`t want to label himself as ab inventerate jazz purist. Soul and pop is often playd at home, when Esbjörn Svensson himself is there.

EST is a bunch of regular tour horses, doing frequent gigs both in and outside Sweden. They have played both small clubs and big festivals in many countries, for instance Chile, Spain, France, Belgium and Germany. And they have won the hearts of both fans and hardened critics.

After all, the album is called "Plays Monk" – a meeting between talent and geniality. The result? "Rhythm-A-Ning", pure and simple! -- ACT Music Website

1.I Mean You 6:47
2.Criss Cross 5:48
3.'Round Midnight 6:13
4.Bemsha Swing 7:22
5.Rhythm-A-Ning 4:03
6.I Walked Bud 6:40
7.Little Rootie Tootie 4:04
8.Eronel 4:59
9.Evidence 5:05
10.Crepuscule with Nellie 6:40

2000 CD ACT Music+Vision

Stan Tracey - Bobby Wellins - Play Monk

2010-01-03T03:05:00.000-08:00

Modern jazz has been built on the innovations and sheer individualism of musicians such as Thelonius Monk and so it is of little surprise that other jazz artists should wish to pay tribute to him, with Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band's 'Rumba para Monk' being an outstanding example. While a plethora of these exist, 'Play Monk' has the considerable merit of playing Monk's compositions on the quartet's own terms and sounds all the better for it. Throughout there is a timeless feel to this live session, recorded at the Bull's Head in Barnes. What impresses most is the space afforded between notes by the trio with Wellins able to effortlessly join in at the appropriate moment. This is clearly a band at ease with itself and enjoying each other's company. Of all the compositions 'Blues Bolivar' is most Monk-like in execution with Wellins providing a glorious direct solo that is reminiscent of late 1950s Sonny Rollins. On 'Well you needn't' the rhythm section bubbles under the surface, with Clark Tracey particularly inventive on drums, and Stan partakes in long modal runs, stretching the notes to their fullest. The sheer lyricism of Bobby Wellins come to the fore on 'I mean you' and both Tracey and Wellins duet to good effect on Monk's Mood', while Tracey solos on a mournful version of 'Round Midnight'. The sound quality for a live recording is exceptionally good and the audience not in the least bit intrusive. Monk would have approved of this hommage. - Tim Stenhouse - UK Vibe/ Jazz Culture Online

1.I Mean You 9:18
2.Locomotive 8:30
3.Well You Needn't 9:45
4.'Round Midnight 3:39
5.Blues Bolivar 10:04
6.Monk's Mood 5:33
7.Let's Cool One 10:06
8.Bright Mississippi 6:37

2007 Resteamed 104