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Review by JW August 22, 2004
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Performance: Sonics: |
This great album brings together Monk, Coltrane and Hawkins, plus Art Blakey on drums. So who are Ray Copeland, Gigi Gryce and Wilbur Ware ? A few words on each of them - just to add a different angle to the reviews here:
Gryce played altosax beween 1950 and 1960. He retired from the jazz scene to dedicate himself to teaching. He played with Lionel Hampton, Oscar Pettiford and Donald Byrd.
Copeland played trumpet and is considered a composer and instructor spanning a period of 40 years (1940-1980). He played with Al Kooper, Blakey and Louis Bellson to name but a few.
Ware was considered to be on a similar level as Pettiford and Blanton. A very influential bass player. He played from the 40's to the 60's - a period where he suffered health problems - and into the 70's, working with Eldridge, Rollins and others and recording for Blue Note and Riverside as a sideman.
Sonically I concur with the others who gave it a three star rating. What makes listening to Monk so interesting ? Try this: spin some Bill Evans and afterwards switch to Monk. I love Evans, but Monk is so much more interesting and surprising in his treatment of melody and chord changes. There is more experiment and counterpoints there, while Evans keeps it all nicely on track. Different styles, both masters of their trade, but Monk presents you with more of the unexpected. A continuing source of musical discovery.
Jw
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