MONK’S CASINO
Alexander von Schlippenbach piano, Axel Dörner trumpet, Rudi Mahall bass clarinet, Jan Roder bass, Michael Griener drums
The American pianist/composer Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) has left a revolutionary body of work. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, the BIMHUIS presents not just another tribute: pianist and pioneer of the European avant-garde Alexander von Schlippenbach and Berlin band Die Enttäuschung, who have immersed themselves in Monk’s entire oeuvre for years, will play a selection that’s everything but obvious.
The album Monk’s Casino from 2004, a tour de force containing live recordings of all of Monk’s compositions, has earned extensive praise. The triple CD received the highest rating possible in the authoritative Penguin Guide to Jazz. ‘A modern masterpiece… a project that asks deep questions about the nature of jazz composition… essential listening’ (Penguin Guide to Jazz).
‘What’s important about this set is that it restores the idea of Monk as a great jazz composer, not just as an eccentric performer’ (The Wire).
‘Credit Von Schlippenbach for being the first, and hope he won’t be the last—the complete Monk ought to stimulate the ambitions of musicians as often as the complete Beethoven sonatas’ (Jazz Times).