Jason Moran Plays Thelonious Monk

For the radio show and more info: n.pr/1hsGhW6
"Thelonious Monk is the most important musician. Period!" That's pianist Jason Moran on "the first pianist who made me want to be a pianist." So Moran decided to present a personal reflection on Monk's music, reconfiguring the 1959 large ensemble concert that Monk presented at Town Hall in New York City. Ever the interdisciplinary thinker, Moran also gathered photographs and archival audio recordings to present a visual companion piece to his new arrangements. In time for Monk's birthday anniversary, Jazz Night takes in the full multimedia presentation that is 'In My Mind' from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
SKIP TO
2:40 - “Thelonious”
6:21 - Backstory to Monk’s original Town Hall concert
9:05 - “Little Rootie Tootie”
20:08 - Jason discusses race, violence and music
22:31 - “Crepuscule With Nellie”
Recorded March 28, 2015 @ Eisenhower Theater, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
MUSICIANS
Jason Moran (piano), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Walter Smith (tenor saxophone), Logan Richardson (alto saxophone), Frank Lacy (trombone), Bob Stewart (tuba), Tarus Mateen (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)
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[@andrewszabo5076]

I saw this concert live. Kenny Barron played, too. One of the best concerts I ever saw. The audience was jumping out of their seats.

[@georgiosminaios286]

Thelonious is the musician who managed to echo his soul into his music, beyond any technique, beyond any manière, thus he became an artist. And what an artist! His cacophonies, the right pedal use, for space and haunting effect, the jumping chords, everything was used to express his soul. That's why he still speaks to the hearts of the people. When you hear his compositions in the beginning you can be frustrated, but later you understand the "sweetness" of his melodies, the nostalgic feeling, all what a soul needs to express. And he is immediately connected with the audience since he is truthful. Thelonious asks people to be with him, he doesn't feel alone like Bill Evans, he shares his music with the people, he surrenders his soul to his audience through his music. And that's art.

[@haywoodlawrence]

I like the way Jason Moran honors the great pianists of the past, just happened on this predecessor to All Rise, his recent tribute to Fats Waller..Great!

[@stevezurier]

The High Priest of Bop, just a great tribute with awesome players and commentary..

[@ixlnxs]

Jason Moran - IN MY MIND: Monk at Town Hall 1959
On October 28, at De Roma in my native Antwerp, Belgium
I live in Morocco but I'm flying home for this show

[@RanBlakePiano]

ixlnxs I believe Elias G invited me to the show

[@sknmwms6516]

Love ❤️ Monk&MORAN!

[@weedanwine]

Jason really hits on something here, the way jazz is taught is all music-centric. One issue I think contemporary jazz can suffer from is a lack of connection to the counter-culture history of jazz, which could be helped with more cultural elements when teaching jazz. Let's not forget that jazz was the music played in illegal clubs!
Just knowing the right notes to play on that solo isn't enough, the spirit of jazz has gotta ring true too.

[@michaelEvans-zo4lt]

Saw Moran & Company performing the Monk Tribute at the Chicago Jazz Fest a few years back. Really enjoyed it. They went out into the audience at the end of their performance playing Crepuscule With Nellie. It was great until park security told them they had to stop.

[@RanBlakePiano]

I agree with jason .monk has produced the greatest music . I say this as much as I love Mahalia ,Messiaen ,Mingus

[@KERSTEN27]

Jason Moran is right: It doesn't get any better.

[@SokratisVotskos]

Use of space...one of the most important music elements...period!

[@farshimelt]

Now listen to Monk play Little Rootie Tootie on Monk at Town Hall.

[@nellyhajdu5423]

Genious!!! 💚🙏

[@sunearthlocs]

AWESOME 😄

[@lynnewoodard5049]

This is awesome!

[@cesarllaguno1672]

amazing

[@paxwallacejazz]

The 1st thing that happened when I hit jazz music school is I was given to a jazz piano teacher who confided to me during our 1st lesson that she didn't dig MONK???Don't even speculate about who this person is cause you're wrong no doubt and I'll never say. I said what? Huh? I said to her face that even if you play totally differently like Jarrett or Herbie or Chick or all Miles' pianists you gotta dig, love Monk!😑😆🤔😎 it was an irreconcilable difference. we didn't even finish one lesson I told her I didn't think I could/should study with her. Now from a more Buddhist perspective I question that decision because everyone can be the Buddha!if you're at that point; dig? But you know? I don't question it that hard.

[@alexalbrecht3179]

Jason Moran's the Man

[@wavemechanic]

What is that amazing bass? Cross between an electric and an upright. Sounds great.

[@TheMourningPalace]

Looks like a fretless electric. Dunno what brand though.

[@zeruchofficial]

the only woman i ever loved said on our first date "monk isn't a piano player...he's a motherfucking prophet"

[@piercethxchris]

Every musician knows tfw the audience claps thinking the song is over but it isn't

[@sid5537]

look at Frank Lacy at 3.56. lol))

[@Manuel-oe4gv]

hahahahaha going crazy

[@jhonnyalbertolunamantilla674]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[@sebitramontana1600]

Ralph Alessi!!!

[@rmoraespinto]

Minha Nossa Senhora!

[@jaysonteam4431]

Jason Moran is American rapper

[@casper5314]

meh

[@vova47]

Yawn.....zzzzzzz......ZZZZZZZ

[@JJamJ]

Our paths cross again Vova47. Sleep tight sir🤫