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Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble: Elegy for Thelonious

By Mark Corroto
February 21, 2024
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Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble: Elegy for Thelonious

There was a sardonic saying circulating a few years ago that observed, "It's Frank Sinatra's world, we just live in it." While that was a backhanded compliment, tailoring it to the subject of this large ensemble recording, we would call it a commendation. Pianist, composer, and conductor

Frank Carlberg

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Carlberg is telling us, "It's

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's world, and (thank god) we live in it." Carlberg has been a disciple of Monk for decades, recording his music in a piano trio format and in duos with the likes of saxophonist

Noah Preminger

saxophone, tenor
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Preminger, pianist

Leo Genovese

keyboards
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Leo Genovese, drummer Audra Menconi and vocalist Christine Correa. In 2017 he released Monk Dreams, Hallucinations And Nightmares (Red Piano Records) a recording with his 18-piece large ensemble, Carlberg at the piano and

JC Sanford

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">JC Sanford conducting.

Carlberg returns to Monk for Elegy For Thelonious with another 18-piece ensemble, this time conducting and leaving the piano and keyboard duties to Genovese. Carlberg's partner Correa returns plus the Priya Carlberg sharing vocal duties. As a composer, Carlberg eschews impersonating Monk, opting instead to re-compose his music utilizing what he calls melodic "cells and splinters" of Monk. The opening track "Spooky Rift We Pat" (an anagram of "Tea For Two" and "Skippy") incorporates the simple composition into the Monk piece creating a logic from incongruous parts. Correa's vocals center the performance, as do solos from saxophonist

Adam Kolker

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Kolker and trumpeter

David Adewumi

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">David Adewumi. Carlberg, like Monk before him, takes the familiar and makes it his own. "Out of Steam" deconstructs Monk's "Locomotive," "Scallop's Scallop" ("Gallop's Gallop"), and "Wrinkle In Trinkle" ("Trinkle Tinkle"). Carlberg's imaginative arrangements are underscored by the fine soloing of the likes of

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Kirk Knuffke,

John Carlson

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">John Carlson, Brain Drye,

Chris Washburne

trombone
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Washburne,

Jeremy Udden

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Udden, and Henry Paz. Carlson chose Genovese, not because he was a Monk impersonator, but because he brought his own voice to this project.

The centerpiece here is the title track where Genovese adds eerie electric keyboards to his acoustic attack as Correa recites Yusef Komunyakaa's tribute poem with backing from Priya Carlberg. The music weaves scenes and images of Monk around his composition titles while referencing the hymn "Abide By Me." This fitting elegy leads us to conclude this dude (Carlberg) abides.

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Track Listing

Spooky Rift We Pat; Out of Steam; Wanting More; Elegy for Thelonious; Scallop��s Scallop; Wrinkle on Trinkle; Brake Tune.

Personnel

Frank Carlberg

composer / conductor

Sam Hoyt

trumpet

Brian Drye

trombone

Priya Carlberg

vocals

Leo Genovese

keyboards

Kim Cass

bass, acoustic

Michael Sarin

drums

Christine Correa

vocals

John Carlson

trumpet

David Adewumi

trumpet

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

Chris Washburne

trombone

Tyler Bonilla

trombone

Max Seigel

trombone

Jeremy Udden

woodwinds

Adam Kolker

woodwinds

Hery Paz

woodwinds

Andrew Hadro

woodwinds

Album information

Title: Elegy for Thelonious | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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