John Beasley

DIGIPACK EDITION

Thelonious Monk is a Mount Rushmore figure in the creation of modern jazz. As the centennial of his birth rapidly approaches, Beasley—pianist, conductor and arranger—has grappled with the complex composer’s legacy with his versatile big band riffing on the wit and unmistakable architecture of the Monk songbook with irrepressible energy and swinging abandon on MONK’estra, Volume 1

PERSONNEL & TRACKS:

01. EPISTROPHY
Solo: Gary Burton (vibes)

02. SKIPPY
Solos: Bob Sheppard (as); Brian Swartz, Bijon Watson (tp); Gary Novak (d)

03. OSKA T
Solos: Gabriel Johnson (tp); Francisco Torres (tb); Brian Swartz (tp)

04. MONK'S PROCESSIONAL
Solo: John Beasly (p)

05. 'ROUND MIDNIGHT
John Beasly (p);  Benjamin J. Shepherd (b); Terreon Gully (d)

06. ASK ME NOW
Solo:  Grégoire Maret (harmonica)

07. GALLOP'S GALLOP
Solo: Terreon Gully (d)

08. LITTLE ROOTIE TOOTIE
Solos: Tom Luer (ts); Danny Janklow (as)

09. COMING ON THE HUDSON
Solos: Ryan Dragon (tb); Tom Peterson (b-cl); JOhn Beasley (p)

Recorded at United Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California