‘A’ Midnight Special – Michel Petrucciani

by | Feb 4, 2024 | Sextet, Solo/Duo

(Above) The classic Take the ‘A’ Train is given a highly kinetic treatment by Petrucciani at the 1998 Nice Jazz Festival. He is joined by Anthony Jackson (b), Steve Gadd (d), Stefano DiBattista (ts), Flavio Boltro (tr), & Denis Leloup (tb)

(Left) In 1993, Michel took the stage at the Stuttgart Jazz Festival and captured the audience with a powerful solo performance of Monk’s ‘Round Midnight.  He had everyone checking their watches … waiting for ‘last call!’

The Very Classic Carmen

by | Jul 14, 2023 | Vocal

With her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics, Carmen McRae is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century.  Her heartfelt rendition of Monk’s ‘Round Midnight in 1962 (above) was only a precursor of the greatness to come.  Carmen is joined here by pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Victor Sproles, and drummer Walter Perkins. 

Nearing the end of her career in 1990, she performed one of my personal favorites –– On Green Dolphin Street –– in Tokyo (below left) at the Good Day Club, together with Eric Gunnison (p), Scott Colley (b), and Mark Pulice (d). 

In 1980, during what some say was her “prime” (never figured how anyone can determine that, especially with the great ones), McRae paints some vivid word pictures (below right) with Miss Otis Regrets; she makes you feel like you personally missed a lunch date, but fortunately, we don’t have to miss Carmen’s impassioned performance of the Cole Porter tune.

‘Round Midnight – Chet Baker

by | Apr 29, 2023 | Quartet/Quintet

This has always been my favorite rendition of Thelonious Monk’s ‘Round Midnight … so much so, that I couldn’t resist adding my own visual interpretation of the mood it evokes. This is music for a rainy night.  Music for lonely lovers and all those others seeking shelter from the storm, needing comfort for the soul.

By request, for the first time in six years on Mark Of Jazz, I am repeating a post (May 12, 2017).  Besides Chet, the players in this set are unidentified and I’m not sure exactly where this particular performance came from, but I think it’s worth sharing one more once.

Carmen McRae In Montreal

by | Nov 27, 2021 | Vocal

Carmen McRae is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, mostly remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics. In other words, when she sang a song, she owned it. The videos below were recorded in 1988 at the International Jazz Festival in Montreal, reputed to be the largest jazz festival on the planet.

 

Of all the songs composed by Thelonious Monk, ‘Round Midnight may be the prettiest melody Monk ever wrote. Carmen sings both the original Jon Hendricks and later Bernie Hanighen lyrics … accompanied by Eric Gunnison on piano, Scott Collie bass, Marc Police playing drums and Clifford Jordan [“Blowing his brains out”] on tenor sax. The Warren & Dubin standard I only Have Eyes For You features the same group but with McRae accompanying herself on piano.

Monk Music

by | Jul 18, 2021 | Quartet/Quintet

PLEASE NOTE: This will be the last new weekly posting on the site until mid to late September, at which time we expect to resume business as usual.  In the meanwhile, please be sure to explore the many other features on our website, especially the more than 4 years of great PAST PERFORMANCES dating all the way back to February of 2017.  Thank you for visiting and especially for following Mark Of Jazz.com.

In April 1966 Thelonious Monk and his quartet performed a live television concert in Oslo, Norway.  The quartet included Monk playing piano, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, Larry Gales playing bass and Ben Riley on drums. They performed a number of Monk standards including Blue Monk (Above) and Monk’s own ‘Round Midnight (Below).  Monk’s playing style is positively unique, using sparse voicings and omitting notes to add dissonance.  His music is almost its own genre, often seeming to inhabit its own musical universe.  Thelonious is something of an acquired taste … one well worth acquiring!