[223.1] MONK MARATHON

The very fine London Jazz Festival ("music from out there, in here") is in full swing -- so to speak -- and a few reviews will be forthcoming of NFE shortly. In the meantime, let me draw your attention to the Monk Liberation Front and their forthcoming endeavours. On Sunday 23 November 2003, on the ballroom floor of the Royal Festival Hall, this intriguing ensemble will perform the entire works of the mercurially fascinating Thelonious Monk (plus a new piece by Philip Clark) from 13:00 to 19:00. What's more, it's absolutely free.

Led by pianist Jonathan Gee, saxophonist Tony Kofi and composer Clark, the Liberation Front includes a host of UK and European musicians, including Ben Hazelton and Michael Olatuja on bass, drummers Winston Clifford and James Joseph, Italian pianist Antonio Ciacca, Finnish trumpeter Mika Myllari and British stars Evan Parker on soprano sax, Tim Garland on bass clarinet and Orphy Robinson playing marimba.

"This event honours in a unique fashion one of jazz's greatest composers," say the promoters. "Wow" is about all I can think to add on the subject. I will be on a train bound for south-west England at the time, but if you catch any of this and want to offer comment, please drop me a note.

Other LJF free events here.

Comment on this post: NewFrontEars