I've got a really fun couple of nights of music coming up this week with guitarist Ralf Buschmeyer's band. Along with Ralf on guitar, Derek Stoll on keyboards, Jim Brenan on tenor saxophone and myself on drums, we'll be playing two evenings of Ralf's creative and clever arrangements of the music of Thelonious Monk, one of Jazz musics greatest pianists and composers. I have always been a real fan of Monk's music so I'm looking forward to this project with these fine musicians.
Lately I've been having fun revisiting my favorite Thelonious Monk albums preparing for these dates and checking out the unique approach of the great Monk drummers including Frankie Dunlop, Ben Riley, Art Taylor, Roy Haynes and Art Blakey. Monk's music seems to bring out many great things in different drummers.
Incidentally, drummer/blogger Todd Bishop has posted a good interview with drummer Frankie Dunlop here: www.shipdrummer.blogspot.com/2011/04/frankie-dunlop-on-monk
and Irish bassist Ronan Guilfoyle also recently offered his thoughts on Monk: www.ronanguil.blogspot.com/2011/03/probably-well-behind-everybody-else-ive.html
Ralf Buschmeyer & The Thelonious Quartet
Live @ The Beatniq Jazz & Social Club
811 - 1st Street SW Calgary, Alberta
Thursday, April 7th
Friday, April 8th
9:00pm
Featuring:
Ralf Buschmeyer - Guitar
Jim Brenan - Tenor Saxophone
Derek Stoll - B3 Organ
Jon McCaslin - Drums