John Beasley

4 1/2 STARS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE (OCTOBER 2017)

If one were to have access to a time machine and could go back to see legendary bandleader Thelonious Monk in concert during the 1950s and ‘60s, you’d likely see him so compelled by the music that he would retreat from his piano mid-performance and conduct his band, no matter how small or large, through an impassioned dance. But behind the joyous dance that overtook the stage lay the societal struggles a jazz musician endured to present that 90 minutes of musical freedom – a tale of police harassment, systemic oppression and constant battles for equality. Fast forward to 2017 and composer-arranger-pianist John Beasley is using Monk’s spontaneous movements and experiences as the basis for conducting radically reconceived versions of the late composer’s music for his critically acclaimed big band project: MONK’estra.

PERSONNEL:

TRUMPETS:
Bijon Watson, Jamie Hovorka, James Ford, Brian Swartz (all songs except “Evidence” and “Dear Ruby” Brandyn Philips (on “Evidence” and “Dear Ruby”)

TROMBONES:
Francisco Torres (all songs except “Light Blue” and “Brake’s Sake”), Wendell Kelly, Ryan Dragon, Steve Hughes, Ido Meshulam (on “Light Blue” and “Brake’s Sake”)

WOODWINDS:
Bob Sheppard, Danny Janklow, Tom Luer (all songs except “Evidence” and “Dear Ruby”), Thomas Peterson, Adam Schroeder, Alex Budman (on “Evidence” and“Dear Ruby”)

JOHN BEASLEY, piano
BEN SHEPHERD, bass
TERREON GULLY, GENE COYE (on “Light Blue”), drums

TRACKS:

01. BRAKE’S SAKE
02. PLAYED TWICE
03. CREPUSCULE WITH NELLIE (guest appearance by Regina Carter)
04. EVIDENCE (guest appearances by Kamasi Washington and Conrad Herwig
05. UGLY BEAUTY/PANNONICA
06. I MEAN YOU
07. LIGHT BLUE
08. DEAR RUBY (guest appearance by Dianne Reeves)
09. CRISS CROSS (guest appearance by Pedrito Martinez)
10. WORK