© 2024 WBGO
Discover Jazz...Anywhere, Anytime, on Any Device.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pianist and Arranger John Beasley Talks Thelonious Monk, and Leads a Trio, on Morning Jazz

Greg Allen
John Beasley

Thelonious Monk changed the way musicians approach jazz. It's not a legacy to be viewed in a museum, but a living body of work for artists to challenge themselves today, finding new arrangements and expressions, surprising themselves at every Monk call and response.

Pianist John Beasley created his MONK'estra to explore Monk's genius. Beasley recently paid a visit to Morning Jazz to explain why he opened Monk's trunk — chatting about his two recorded volumes of Monk's music, and playing in trio with bassist Ben Williams and drummer Clarence Penn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYnLi9xC2GI

The full MONK'estra performs Thursday through Saturday at Jazz Standard.

In jazz radio, great announcers are distinguished by their ability to convey the spontaneity and passion of the music. Gary Walker is such an announcer, and his enthusiasm for this music greets WBGO listeners every morning. This winner of the 1996 Gavin Magazine Jazz Radio Personality of the Year award has hosted the morning show each weekday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. And, by his own admission, he's truly having a great time.