Monk's Dream at The Appel Room

In this one-of-a-kind Thelonious Monk celebration, bassist Russell Hall leads a band as eclectic and full of life as Monk’s music. These young musicians hail from Jamaica, New Orleans, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Hawaii, South Africa, France, and England, but they are united in jazz, and they are taking over the New York City jazz scene. Tonight’s performances will be particularly special, as living legend and Monk’s close personal friend Barry Harris joins on piano alongside Mathis Picard, and one of the best drummers of our time, jazz veteran Jeff “Tain” Watts, shares the stage with rising star drummer Kyle Poole...

read more

In this one-of-a-kind Thelonious Monk celebration, bassist Russell Hall leads a band as eclectic and full of life as Monk’s music. These young musicians hail from Jamaica, New Orleans, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Hawaii, South Africa, France, and England, but they are united in jazz, and they are taking over the New York City jazz scene. Tonight’s performances will be particularly special, as living legend and Monk’s close personal friend Barry Harris joins on piano alongside Mathis Picard, and one of the best drummers of our time, jazz veteran Jeff “Tain” Watts, shares the stage with rising star drummer Kyle Poole. Everyone in the band gets a turn to shine, though.                Vibraphone virtuoso Joel Ross is a revelation on a lush rendition of “’Round Midnight.” Ellington’s ballad “I Got it Bad (And That Ain't Good)” begins with Vuyo Sotashe’s heart-stoppingly sweet vocals before bursting into an up-tempo trio number like Monk’s classic version. Trumpeter Bruce Harris and saxophonists Ruben Fox and Julian Lee show their chops on the tricky Monk-inspired original, “A Nod to the High Priest.” Guitarist Gabe Schnider and tap dancer Michela Marino Lerman star in a new take on “Brilliant Corners” that you need to see to believe.                It’s a beautifully designed show full of creative Monk arrangements that keep things varied and swinging. This supremely talented and diverse band represents the ideal and future of authentic jazz. Do not miss out when they celebrate Thelonious Monk alongside two of the all-time greatest instrumentalists.

show less