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John Beasley - piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer
Saxophones/Woodwinds: Bob Sheppard. Banny Janklow, Chris Lewis, Tom Peterson, Adam Schroeder, Tom Luer
Trombones: wendell Kelly, Ryan Dragon, Ido Meshulam, Steve Hughes, Francisco Torres
Trumpets/Flugelhorns: Bijon Watson, Kye Palmer, James Ford, Brian Swartz, Rashawn Ross
Bass: John Patitucci, Benjamin Shepherd
Drums: Vinne Colaiuta, Ulysses Owens, Jr., Terreon Gully
Conga: Joey De Leon
Synthesizer: Steve Tavaglione
Percussion, Shaker: Terreon Gully
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Guest Appearances by:
Grégoire Maret - Harmonica
Joey DeFrancesco - Hammond B3 Organ
Hubert Laws - Flute
Jubilant Sykes - Vocals
Ralph Moore - Tenor Saxophone
Over the course of two albums, bandleader/composer/arranger John Beasley has reimagined Thelonious Monk’s iconic compositions through his inventive, versatile MONK’estra – a big band able to deftly navigate the legend’s eccentricities from a variety of perspectives, from boisterous swing to raucous funk to Afro-Cuban explosiveness. MONK’estra, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 each garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nominations, alongside widespread critical acclaim. Beasley veers off in new directions on his stunning third album in the series, MONK’estra Plays John Beasley. As the title implies, this time out the band shifts focus to its fearless leader’s own estimable compositions and piano playing, alongside a quartet of Monk classics and a tune apiece by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker.
John Beasley has shared stages with some of the most important names in jazz during his three-decade career. From his days as a member of Freddie Hubbard’s quintet and one of Miles Davis’ last touring bands to his role as Music Director for Jazz Day galas for the Thelonious Monk Institute, Beasley has had a first-hand involvement with the genre's never-ending evolution.