Wynton will play Monk at 92nd Street Y

June 14, 2006 - Concerts

On July 20 Wynton Marsalis will play with Cedar Walton, Bill Charlap and others, for a special tribute to Thelonious Monk at 92nd Street Y

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Michelle Hainer said

on June 15, 2006 @ 9:12 pm

Hello Luigi:

Does Wynton plan to return from Europe for the performance at the 92nd Street Y on July 20? And then return to Europe for the concerts in Marciac in early August? Since he hates to fly I was surprised to see that he coming back and just wanted to double check. Thanks!

Michelle
Luigi Beverelli said

on June 16, 2006 @ 5:37 am

Yes Michelle.
Even if he hates to fly…he will do it
Victor Cager said

on June 23, 2006 @ 4:54 pm

Hello Luigi,

My name is Victor Cager and I’m a Baritone Classical Jazz Vocalist in Dallas,TX.
Recently I had the distinct privilege of recording with The Dallas Jazz Orchestra and I would like you and Wynton to hear it. All my selections are standards and I’m probably one of the last vocalists to actually include the verses in the renditions I do. I’m would very much like to meet Wynton.
I’m a Vocalist who tries to avoid the flashy vocal pyrotechnics and get right to the lyrical heart of the matter! If you’ll e-mail me I’ll send you a couple of selections from my recording.
The recording is entitled: The Dallas Jazz Orchestra Presents Victor Cager.

You can also hear me and read more about me online via Google and Yahoo Search engines, my website is: http://www.victorcager.com, you can also contact me directly at 214.321.2839 or 469.471.7528

Thanking You in Advance,

Victor Cager

P.S. Thanks So Much for All You’ve Done for this Incredible art form we affectionately refer to as Jazz.
Jurzy Girl said

on July 21, 2006 @ 8:52 am

Last night’s performance was solidly presented and enjoyable. Bill Charlap (piano) followed his fellow musicians intensely at times; it was obvious he was working with them, listening to each one carefully so as to support through the magical spaces for improvisation granted through Monk’s music. Charlap’s style is interesting to watch. His posture while playing Monk was not good. He was rather slumped over and tilted to the side most of the night. I wonder if this is typical or the result of playing Monk in particular, a way of getting to Monk through physical gesturing. I noticed, too, that he’d keep time in his hands and hold them raised and trembling above the keys as he waited to articulate his next phrase. But it was Cedar Walton who brought the most “feeling” to the piano last night. He was gentle on the keys (with Monk?!) and pensive. Monk seemed to be in him and he extracted from himself the beauty of Monk; Monk’s disconcerting melodic simplicity and incredible complex texture. Walton did this all with such ease…the musicians all seemed to play with him, for him last night.

Jeremy Pelt and Wynton played trumpet. Jeremy seems to be a wonderful technician but, alas, was no match for My Hero. What a good effort! Pelt held his own, standing side-to-side with My Hero and trading 12s (4s!) on Four in One. Wynton, no doubt, pushed Pelt to reach higher, beyond his (Pelt’s) own comfort level by playing dazzling amazingly fast paced notes with superb dexterity and though Pelt hung in there, he seemed to either “backed down” or shied away from the opportunity to move beyond comfort. I was hoping, as Wynton egged him on, that Pelt would be the one to excite the crowd last night, to take us to new sonic destinations but he did not. Wynton, as great as he is, just played “normally” superbly and masterfully. That he could dazzle was nothing new and I felt Pelt shied away from the challenge. Perhaps this was a matter of being in a concert hall as opposed to a small club (smoky and lacking AC) where his adventurous forays might have been not only expected but well received. In any case, the trumpet playing could have been more; it could have been thrilling.

What I like most about Wynton’s playing (in general) is his ability to quell the room, calm and unsettle the crowd by playing long tones amidst fast playing. This contrast in sound is unexpected and is the equivalent to sounding a bull horn in a room filled with chatter; it commands the listeners attention. Once Wynton had our attention (no, he never lost it) he wound us up in bluesy swirls as he played down the register. This is effective (for him) in silencing not just the crowd but his on-stage competitor. Pelt stood dumbfounded each time Wynton did this. He did not quite know how to respond. Wynton would take Pelt’s last phrase and extend the final note and then use it to create a dazzling “mockery” of what Pelt had just done. Whew. Vicious and lovely at once.

Wynton and Charlap played “Round Midnight” and silenced the crowd. We sat in awe (yes, everyone, I polled the room) as Charlap supported Wynton and let Wynton roam and wander and amaze. It was a beautiful moment filled with emotion and tenderness and longing. At a point, when he was bent into a twisted contortion that I am sure helped render more clearly various notes, the tail of his Super Hero cape peeked thru his light grey suit. Unaffected but likely feeling exposed, Wynton eased into an upright position blushing, I am sure that we now knew he was not one of us.

Steve Nelson (vibraphones) was brilliant. He played with an intensity that I think kept Charlap working overtime. He was so deep into playing that I do not think he knew the audience was present. When we exploded into applause (after nearly each of his solos last night) he seemed surprised that we were in the room.

Drummer Kenny Washington had a good time while playing last night. He seemed to really enjoy himself. Although the overall presentation last night was “solid” Washington took chances and rendered at least one brilliant solo.

Peter Washington, bass, enjoyed his time on stage last night! He played a really, really, long solo bc I think he forgot the audience was in the room.

Jimmy Greene (tenor) was wonderful! He commanded the stage, not merely because he is a large man, but because his sound carried the room. Two trumpets on stage, playing together at times, did not detract from Greene’s ability to infuse the room with his personal sound. But he was not a “forceful” player like James Carter. Greene’s sound is rich and full and round and big but not domineering though distinctive.

On another note, people were pissed off about Ben Ratliff’s review of Bucky Pizzarelli and for good reason. I thought of you Rocky as several people expressed their discontent. I also thought of the “groupie” crowd for jazz musicians. An interesting bunch. A study in itself.

JG
Sonalii said

on July 21, 2006 @ 11:47 pm

Again Jurzy, you have described last night’s event in such a way that I could actually hear and see everything you described. It must have been quite an evening. Was it a capacity filled crowd? I’m curious as to your take on the “groupie crowd” for jazz musicians. I would welcome your comments and insight. Nevertheless, thank you again for sharing. By any chance, did you get to greet our hero?
Frederique said

on July 21, 2006 @ 11:57 pm

“At a point, when he was bent into a twisted contortion that I am sure helped render more clearly various notes, the tail of his Super Hero cape peeked thru his light grey suit. Unaffected but likely feeling exposed, Wynton eased into an upright position blushing, I am sure that we now knew he was not one of us.”

JG, I am sorry I do not get it.

Did they play less known Monk’s tunes that you could notice, you connaisseur;-)
Wynton’s concert at 92nd Street Y reviewed by New York Times at Wynton Marsalis fan club said

on July 22, 2006 @ 6:42 am

[…] Two days ago, Wynton played at 92nd Street Y in New York City with Bill Charlap, Jeremy Pelt and others…an hommage to the music of Thelonious Monk. Here you have the review of the evening by the New York Times. Be sure to check also the nice review made by our friend and reader Jurzy. Here […]
gloria said

on July 23, 2006 @ 7:44 am

Hi, Jurzy. I like your review better than NYT.
Really, Mr. Chinen, “Let’s Count the Cliches”: Monk (the NYT’s) “revolutionary” post-bop, whose ’60’s work still sounds ‘new’ today (will he show up on the Forum to defend himself?)…

Well, it’s hard for any pianist to play Monk; Among (literally) contemporary critics, Coltrane said he was a musical architect of the highest order, and Mingus that Monk had the best timing of anyone. Who has followed that act?

Nice the musicians selected more familiar with lesser known pieces; Rhythm-a-ning is on Live at the It Club recording; I wonder how the performances (92nd St. with larger band) compared. The vibraphone must have added interesting effects, trumpets adding counterpoint to compositions originally scored for saxophones; Wynton’s got Monk’s timing and his horn cuts to the chase, (yes, more “Cliches To Go”, like fast food, cliches people who weren’t there ((or even were)) can instantly utilize).

I think you have a good point; a different venue from the large hall, like the old Five Spot Cafe, may have been more appropriate for Monk’s music. Hope they’ll play together again, Dizzy’s maybe.

Thanks so much, Jurzy! Glo.
Jurzy Girl said

on July 23, 2006 @ 7:45 am

Just teasing, Frederique, about his being a Hero. He was bent and twisted and seemed filled with such emotion while playing. “Unaffected” by the tail of his hero cape peeing htur from beneath the suit he was wearing…teasing about the cape. He was not “blushing” as he stood upright. I am teasing here again bout his being exposed as a super hero and so not being “one of us.”

Yes, I saw him. He was very kind and gracious. The “groupie” crowd is just not that of rock stars or pop stars. I am typically very comfortable attending jazz concerts bc I have many peers. However, in smaller venues and upstart kind of places, I have noticed I am one of the only “mature” women.

The concert hall Thursday night was packed, looked sold out.

There was one Monk song that I did not know…hmmm…”crepiscule for …” (his wife’s name…cannot bring her name to mind right now).

JG
gloria said

on July 23, 2006 @ 7:57 am

Crepiscule With Nellie? I remember reading Monk’s Time magazine cover story in which she referred to her husband as Melodious Thunk. I then wondered if his family ever obtained the right medical attention for his problems. G.
gloria said

on July 23, 2006 @ 8:20 am

Found Crepuscule with Nellie; on The London Collection vol. 1 of Monk’s solo piano performances. Liner notes state this piece was a tribute to Mrs. Monk, first recorded in 1957.
Frederique said

on July 23, 2006 @ 9:39 pm

Dahhhhh Frederique, you schroumlayahooboum!!!
I missed the point. JG, you got me again. I am dense I admit (well, sometimes the good way;-))
Yes, you can be taken by the intensity of what you do, unlike your fellow mortals, and be in another “space”. Thanks for sharing the concert with us, JG.
careba said

on July 24, 2006 @ 2:22 pm

I´ve never heard Wynton playing alive any of Monk´s songs; but I have, and like very much, his “Marsalis plays Monk” CD. Could we say that Wynton shows his respect while swinging Monk´s legacy on it?…in any case, I like it….and enjoy “Worry later” with W´s laughing trumpet and H.Riley rhythm.
Concerning “Crepuscule with Nellie”; same case, only listened on CD (Intimacy Calling). It seems to me that theere is another old record with it (may be with Messengers?…anybody knows?). Anyway, tender material. Lovely. And on “Round Midnight” I have his recordings of it with the Messengers. Good stuff!. Suppose listening to it alive should be super.

Jurzy, thanks for your detailed reports. You are the best chance for feeling almost like been there in all those concerts we are unable to attend. Don´t give it up please!.

Also,…must admit Jurzy´s mastery (always exquisite)on choosing/using words. Liked your use of the more respectful word “mature” instead of more denigrating “old”. As a matter of fact (most extended use), whenever hearing of “mature” person the term is only used for men (meaning:having grown/became more interesting, appealing,with more knowledge, sense …..all positive qualities); while when talking of women you will hear “old” (with all the negative connotations of the term, and making them even feel guilty). Our society allows men feel proud of growing older, and almost shameless to women.
That´s life! (or it isn´t?).
Fred Leverenz said

on February 26, 2008 @ 12:53 pm

Wynton is just a technician nothing more nothing less. By the way who made this guy the spokesperson for jazz. His success is largely due to his young age and that he is a classcal musician by training!!!
Fred Leverenz said

on February 26, 2008 @ 1:01 pm

Sorry, one more comment. I remember when Wynton just walked on stage during a Miles Davis performance, you don’t do that to Miles or any performing musician That is absolutley unforgivable. Wynton just kept sayting they want me, (who is they?)
Karen said

on February 27, 2008 @ 12:02 am

Sorry Fred, I disagree. Wynton’s greatest redemption is his deep spirituality. He is no shallow man. Go listen to “All Rise”, it’s a hymn, sweet and low, deep and passionate. It’s reflective of human nature, uplifting and encompassing diverse rhythmic variation. That goes beyond technique. Maybe “they” were the Angels singing in his ears.