By Scott Yanow | Published September 2022
It has been some time since drummer T.S. Monk released an album as a leader. He has led a straightahead jazz sextet since 1992 and this new Storyville release, which was recorded in New York in 2014 and Bern, Switzerland, in 2016, is his first live recording with his group.
The personnel is the same on both sessions with tenor-saxophonist Willie Williams being the only original member of the sextet other than its leader from 24 years earlier. There are no songs included by T.S.’s father, Thelonious Monk, although trumpeter Josh Evans begins his original “Earnie Washington” by playing the melody of “Brilliant Corners” unaccompanied. The sextet, which is joined by guitarist Dave Stryker on the leader’s “Sierre,” otherwise performs two songs by Randy Weston, a straightforward “Seven Steps To Heaven,” Jymie Merritt’s modal “Nommo,” which was recorded in the late 1960s by Lee Morgan, and Helen Sung’s “Brother Thelonious.”
There are enough subtle surprises, passionate solos and inspired playing to hold one’s interest throughout this modern hard bop set. “Sierre” has an unexpected double-time section that adds to the piece’s momentum. The medium-tempo strut “Brother Thelonious” includes particularly energetic solos from Evans and Williams. Randy Weston’s boppish “Chessmen’s Delight” gets a rare revival, and “Earnie Washington” becomes a bluesy number and a fine showcase for Evans. With consistently rewarding solos from Sung, Williams, Evans and altoist Patience Higgins, and stimulating support by bassist Kenny Davis and T.S. Monk, the album lives up to its potential.
Two Continents One Groove: Sierre; Brother Thelonious; Chessmen’s Delight; Seven Steps To Heaven; Earnie Washington; Nommo; Little Niles. (59:59)
Personnel: T.S. Monk, drums, percussion; Josh Evans, trumpet; Patience Higgins, alto saxophone; Willie Williams, tenor saxophone; Helen Sung, piano; Kenny Davis, bass; Dave Stryker, guitar (1).
Ordering Info: storyvillerecords.com
