To celebrate what would have been his father
Thelonious Monk's 80th birthday, drummer
T.S. Monk put together an all-star group (an expanded version of his sextet) and toured, performing an all-
Thelonious program. Just prior to the beginning of the live performances,
T.S. and his band recorded this CD. The music is excellent, but there are so many guest artists making cameo appearances (including trumpeters
Roy Hargrove,
Clark Terry,
Arturo Sandoval and
Wallace Roney,
Wayne Shorter on soprano, tenors
Grover Washington Jr. and
Jimmy Heath, pianists
Herbie Hancock and
Geri Allen, bassists
Ron Carter,
Christian McBride and
Dave Holland and singers
Dianne Reeves and
Kevin Mahogany) that one never really gets to hear
Monk's band very much. Considering that
T.S.'s unit includes altoist
Bobby Watson and singer
Nnenna Freelon (both of whom are only heard from briefly), it is a pity that he opted for so many unnecessary guests. There are good versions of such tunes as "Little Rootie Tootie" (which has a very effective
Grover Washington Jr. tenor solo), "Crepuscule With Nellie" (one of the few renditions of a band actually stretching out on this theme), and "Bright Mississippi," plus the debut of a recently discovered
Monk composition ("Two Timer"), so this set is recommended. But one is left looking forward to hearing the actual
T.S. Monk ensemble interpret the songs.