Bennie Wallace, Dannie Richmond, Eddie Gomez, Jimmy Knepper - Bennie Wallace Plays Monk (1981)

Tracklist

01. Skippy
02. Ask Me Now
03. Evidence
04. Round About Midnight
05. Straight No Chaser
06. Prelude
07. Ugly Beauty
08. Variation on a Theme (Trinkle Tinkle)
09. Round About Midnight (Version Two)

Recorded a year before pianist/composer Thelonious Monk's death, this tribute by Bennie Wallace features the dynamic tenor in trios with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Dannie Richmond plus three quartets with the addition of trombonist Jimmy Knepper. Wallace's eccentric interval jumps and very expressive sound (along with his advanced harmonic knowledge) made him a natural to explore Monk's music and he pours plenty of passion into these improvisations. In addition to seven of Monk's compositions, Wallace contributes his own "Prelude"; the CD reissue adds a second version of "'Round Midnight" to the original program. This colorful and chancetaking session can act as an introduction to both Bennie Wallace and Monk's music.

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