Search - Jessica Williams :: In the Key of Monk

Monk in the style of Monk

07/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the last few years many jazz musicians have recorded Monk tunes. Jessica Williams is the only piano player I have heard who can play in a style that is an extension of Monk's original style. This is one of her many interesting CDs but this one is essential for any Monk fan. Ms. Williams manages to hold your interest from beginning to end on solo piano."

Definitely one of the best jazz piano players !

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 01/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MaryLou Williams,Erroll Garner,Duke Ellington,Ahmad Jamal,Earl Hines,and Thelonious Monk;I think here are some of the most important influences in Jessica Williams' playing.Not too bad,isn't it? And the result is that this Lady simply is one of the top jazz piano players of this young 21th century;I mean,certainly one of the six best piano players,with Hank Jones,Kenny Barron,Ahmad Jamal and Randy Weston,and Abdullah Ibrahim.

Each record she makes is a gem,and this dedication to Thelonious Monk's music is a real masterpiece.Recorded live in Calgary,Canada,May 31,1997,this essential solo effort includes great tunes written by Thelonious ("Bemsha swing","Reflections","Monk's mood","crepuscule with Nellie","San Francisco holiday","Pannonica","Ask me now" and "Blues five spot"),two oldies that Monk loved to play ("Just a gigolo" and "I love you,sweetheart of all my dreams") and three tunes written by Jessica ("Monk's hat","I remember Monk" and "the house that Rouse built",dedicated to Monk's devoted tenor sax player,the great Charlie Rouse,who died the same day that Baronness Nica De Koenigswarter,who's home became Thelonious and Nellie Monk's last home).

If Thelonious Monk's musical universe is yours,then you will treasure this very great tribute to his musical genius.Do you remember Thelonious playing "Lulu's back in town" or "I love you,sweetheart of all my dreams"? Did you treasure his interpretations of these old tunes? So listen first to Jessica's incredible version of "sweetheart"(track 4):here is the essence of swing,here is that good old stride,the Harlem's trademark,here is time to tap your feet and shout.Who else (but Kenny Barron) could have play it that way? Then,jump to "ask me now",or "blues Five Spot","Reflections" or "San Francisco holiday";you'll listen to very great music,played by an immense artist,one of the greatest piano players in the history of jazz,like her underrated colleague,and homonym,miss MaryLou Williams (1910-1981),who happened to be a definitive influence on...Thelonious Monk."