Monterey Jazz Fest
2007
Live At The 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival
About This Album
Thelonious Monk played at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1963 and created a buzz so strong he was invited back the following year. His one-hour set from 1964 is available here, featuring his quartet through the first forty minutes. Tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse and drummer Ben Riley are joined by Steve Swallow on upright acoustic bass loaned from the Art Farmer group, whom he performed with at the event. Having studied Monk's music and played it with Steve Lacy, Swallow was ready to jump into the fray for his first-ever performance with Monk, having not even spoken with the pianist up to show time. He sounds very comfortable, swinging effortlessly, playing mostly quarter notes throughout the concert, but rarely straying off the path. These are typical Monk originals for the time period, and are solidly showcased, with Rouse doing the soloing, Monk traditionally comping, then laying out. Everything is ten-minutes long, portioned out between head, bridge and tail. "Rhythm-A-Ning" is taken at a bit quicker pace than usual, with Monk doing the urging on Rouse's solo, while Swallow and Riley are noticeably more locked in during the "Sweet Georgia Brown" variation "Bright Mississippi.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3 and 4)

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