Frank Kimbrough - Thelonious
FRANK KIMBROUGH
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"Thelonious" is the first track from pianist Frank Kimbrough's six-disc boxed set Monk's Dreams: The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Sphere Monk out November 23, 2018 via Sunnyside.
Kimbrough put together a quartet with bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Billy Drummond, and multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson to play Monk's music at the Jazz Standard in NYC. After the first set, Kimbrough's friend Mait Jones urged that the group record Monk's entire oeuvre, a feat that Kimbrough had never considered. Over the next few days, Jones doubled down on his intent to make the project reach fruition, bringing in his friend and fellow jazz head, Dr. Dorothy Lieberman, to help co-produce the effort.
Highlights of the group's takes on these classic pieces include Robinson's juggling of trumpet and tenor sax on "Thelonious" and the ensemble's free-wheeling energy on "Skippy." "Locomotive" is the picture of peaceful beauty, whereas "Jackie-ing" is all jumps and starts. Reid and Robinson play beautifully on "Reflections" and a lovely solo performance of "Crepuscule with Nellie" showcases Kimbrough's command of the piano and Monk's language.