Thelonious Monk
Pianist-Arranger John Beasley 'Presents Monk'estra Volume #1,' Mack Avenue Records [REVIEW]
Drummer/Composer Steve Fidyk is Buoyed by 'Allied Forces' on New Posi-Tone Release [REVIEW]
One realizes just how special 'Allied Forces' (Posi-Tone) by Steve Fidyk is about halfway through Monk opener "Evidence." Dealing with Monk's myriad changes and convoluted thought processes in a shiny new irresistible way has that good new-car smell about it that hooks you right in, and it's like that for the duration, partly because guitarist Shawn Purcell and tenor saxist Doug Webb make the absolute most of their opportunity here. John Hart's 'Exit From Brooklyn' (Zoho Music) Transforms Chestnuts Into Mighty Jams [REVIEW]
Guitarist/composer John Hart spent 30 years in Brooklyn where he met bassist Bill Moring and drummer Tim Horner. The three reconvene on Hart's 'Exit from Brooklyn' (Zoho Music) for their fourth trio outing since 2000 on a beautiful 10-track project.
