Fri 9/20 @ 8PM
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk, who died in 1982 at the age of 64, was undeniably one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Many of his tunes — “Blue Monk,” “Straight, No Chaser,” “Round Midnight” — are in the repertoire of virtually every jazz ensemble that performs classic tunes. He’s the second most recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington. And his jarring, whiplash style of keyboard work is instantly recognizable.
During the 2017 centennial of Monk’s birth, New York City-based guitarist Miles Okazaki performed at a tribute concert. That inspired him to continue to explore Monk’s music, as he studied his 70 compositions and transcribed each for solo guitar. He recorded them all for a six-album set, which was released in August 2018 under the title WORK, a different approach for a musician who is also a composer and had previously recorded his own work.
Okazaki will be bringing WORK to the BOP STOP — selections from it anyway, since he’s only booked for a single night!
Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at door.
Cleveland, OH 44113