Elegy for Thelonious

SSC1716 2024-03-08

Track List

Spooky Rift We Pat - 9:47
Out of Steam - 7:15
Wanting More - 6:16
Elegy for Thelonious - 11:06
Scallop's Scallop - 7:15
Wrinkle On Trinkle - 8:30
Brake Tune - 9:32

Musicians

Frank Carlberg - conductor
Sam Hoyt - trumpet - fluegelhorn
John Carlson - trumpet - fluegelhorn
David Adewumi - trumpet - fluegelhorn
Kirk Knuffke - cornet
Brian Drye - trombone
Chris Washburne - trombone
Tyler Bonilla - trombone
Max Siegel - bass trombone
Nathan Reising - alto saxophone
Jeremy Udden - alto
Adam Kolker - tenor saxophone, flute
Hery Paz - tenor saxophone , clarinet
Andrew Hadro - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
Leo Genovese - piano , keyboards
Kim Cass - bass
Michael Sarin - drums
Christine Correa - voice
Priya Carlberg - voice

Frank Carlberg has explored the music of Thelonious Sphere Monk in many contexts: as a seasoned and highly acclaimed pianist, noted for his work in duo, trio and other small groups, but also as leader and orchestrator of an adventurous large ensemble. His 2017 release Monk Dreams, Hallucinations and Nightmares was big-band Monk in all its glory, rated five stars in DownBeat and hailed as “stunning and original” by The Buffalo News. Carlberg played piano on the earlier date, which had J.C. Sanford conducting. But on the new Elegy for Thelonious, Carlberg takes up the baton and does not play, leaving that to the brilliant Leo Genovese (of Esperanza Spalding renown, effortlessly at home in mainstream and avant-garde jazz settings).

With a rich blend of winds and brass, and a solid, inventive rhythm section with bassist Kim Cass and drummer Michael Sarin, Carlberg approaches the Monk canon from his own compositional standpoint, borrowing or transforming what he calls melodic “cells and splinters,” re-composing or even merging different songs into new entities, with formal, improvisational and sonic results that are immediately gripping.

“Thelonious Monk remains as vital and relevant as ever,” says Carlberg, “and we are very happy to share this offering inspired by the Master and created through our personal prism. Monk’s way opened up the way for so many others, not through imitation but through inspiration. With Elegy for Thelonious I want to celebrate the profound impact he has had on me personally as well as on so many others.”