Plays Monk

Plays Monk is an exciting and unusual  trio of three acclaimed band leaders: drummer Scott Amendola, clarinetist Ben Goldberg and bassist Devin Hoff, dedicated to creative realizations of the music of Thelonious Monk. Below are comments by each musician about this project:

“The music of Thelonious Monk is one of the greatest bodies of creative work produced anywhere in the 20th century, and a pinnacle in the history of American art. Monk's songs are condensed compositions that function as riddles, as lessons, and above all as vibrant, swinging music. Each one of them possesses an inner strength and resiliency that can withstand infinite variations and permutations without giving up its form or its content. They permit the individual musicians to discover the heart of the matter and learn its truths in their own way and at their own pace, always revealing more to the careful and patient student.

This band, then, is a collective attempt to engage in this dialogue.”

- Devin Hoff

“The compositions of Thelonious Monk offer distinct challenges to the jazz musician. Each song is a unique parable of form, timing, concision, and motion. The musician who investigates this material finds, additionally, a series of interlocking meditations on the fundamentals of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Monk's music is substantial, durable, and entrancing; as with the great European classical music, it abides apart from any particular performance while containing within it the endless possibility of discovery and renewal.

Plays Monk is a trio that is developing a sound by performing Monk's songs and listening hard for the consequence. We have been working together for 3 years, playing a lot, always trying new things, always aiming for the distilled truth of the music.”

- Ben Goldberg

“Plays Monk fell together. Ben and Devin had been working on Thelonious Monk tunes together. I called them both for a gig. Ben said "Let's play only Thelonious Monk." Of course, what else is there? Thelonious Monk is one of the greatest composers/piano players ever. Totally unique approach to Jazz. His tunes are all memorable. They sing themselves. His voice on the piano was unique and unprecedented. Totally recognizable. Monk's music will live on forever. This is our homage to him, his interminable spirit and desire to push the envelope. And our way of doing our thing through Monk.”

- Scott Amendola

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