Three and a half months before Thelonious Monk died, two memorable tribute concerts took place at Columbia University. The lineup of musicians was perfect: soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy (long an expert on Monk's music), Thelonious' longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, trombonist Roswell Rudd, trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Richard Davis, either Ben Riley or Ed Blackwell on drums, and four different pianists. This legendary event was fortunately recorded, and the afternoon concert has been released in full on this 1997 double-CD set.
Pianist Muhal Richard Abrams is on the first CD, while Barry Harris takes his place on the second half. Both of the pianists have a brief solo piece as a feature; Lacy takes "Gallop's Gallop" unaccompanied, and the full group jams on 11 of Monk's more difficult pieces. The unique opportunity to hear this combination of musicians and the many inspired moments make the double-CD a highly recommended acquisition for anyone interested in the music of Thelonious Monk.
A few months before Thelonious Monk's death, four sets of music (two played at an afternoon concert and two in the evening) were performed by an all-star group. The results were released in 1994 by the Japanese DIW label, but not made available in the U.S. until a pair of double CDs were put out by Koch in 1998. The second volume features the unique group (trumpeter Don Cherry, soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, trombonist Roswell Rudd, bassist Richard Davis, and either Ben Riley or Ed Blackwell on drums) with Anthony Davis on piano during the first set, and Mal Waldron on the second. Both of the pianists have features (Waldron is fine on "'Round Midnight," while Davis is outstanding on "Monk's Mood"); a couple of Waldron-Lacy duets are highlights ("Let's Call This" and "Reflections"), and there are seven numbers by the full septet. Although Cherry's chops were a bit off, the other three horn players are quite strong, and their renditions of "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues Are," "Well You Needn't," "Friday the 13th," "Rhythm-A-Ning," and the closing "Epistrophy" are quite outstanding. This was a unique band, and it is fortunate that it was put together in time; the only pity is that Thelonious Monk was not present to participate. Highly recommended to all Monk fans.
Muhal Richard Abrams (CD1), Barry Harris (CD2), Anthony Davis (CD3), Mal Waldron (CD4) - piano
Don Cherry - trumpet
Steve Lacy - soprano saxophone
Charlie Rouse - tenor saxophone
Roswell Rudd - trombone
Richard Davis - bass
Ben Riley (CD1,CD3), Ed Blackwell (CD2,CD4) - drums
Recorded live at Wollman Auditorium, Columbia University, New York City on November 1, 1981.
CD1 - Afternoon Concert: Muhal Richard Abrams Set
01. Announcement by Verna Gillis - 0:41
02. Introduction by Nat Hentoff - 6:39
03. Crepuscule with Nellie (Monk) - 3:39
04. I Mean You (Monk-Hawkins) - 8:25
05. Ask Me Now (Monk) - 8:03
06. Gallop's Gallop (Monk) - 3:42
07. Blue Monk (Monk) - 7:32
08. Four in One (Monk) - 10:17
09. Poetry by Amiri Baraka - 1:21
CD2 - Barry Harris Set
01. Announcement by Verna Gillis - 0:18
02. Ruby, My Dear (Monk) - 4:16
03. Light Blue (Monk) - 7:25
04. Eronel (Monk) - 9:14
05. Bye-Ya (Monk) - 8:14
06. Pannonica (Monk) - 5:35
07. Off Minor (Monk) - 6:46
08. Epistrophy (Monk) - 10:34
CD3 - Evening Concert: Anthony Davis Set
01. Introduction by Stanley Crouch - 2:22
02. Monk's Mood (Monk) - 3:30
03. Evidence (Monk) - 10:49
04. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are (Monk) - 10:27
05. Thelonious (Monk) - 5:41
06. Well You Needn't (Monk) - 11:37
CD4 - Mal Waldron Set
01. Announcement by Verna Gillis - 0:21
02. 'Round About Midnight (Monk-Williams) - 6:24
03. Let's Call This (Monk) - 6:03
04. Reflections (Monk) - 6:14
05. Friday the 13th (Monk) - 15:40
06. Rhythm-A-Ning (Monk) - 12:41
07. Epistrophy (Monk) - 11:13
