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Bobby Broom: Plays For Monk
ByThelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982

Steve Lacy
saxophone, soprano1934 - 2004
Best known for his work with Sonny Rollins
saxophone
b.1930
Besides Rollins, Broom has toured with Hugh Masekela
flugelhorn
1939 - 2018Charles Earland
organ, Hammond B3
1941 - 1999Kenny Burrell
guitar, electric
b.1931Stanley Turrentine
saxophone, tenor
1934 - 2000Kenny Garrett
saxophone, alto
b.1960Dr. John
piano
1940 - 2019
The trio of Broom, Carroll and Watkins has been a applying its craft for some thirteen years at weekly gigs in Evanston, Illinois. Its teamwork is evident here, playing the sometimes tricky Monk repertoire. The trio passes over simpler tunes like "Straight, No Chaser" and "Well, You Needn't" for more difficult and rewarding tunes. Maneuvering through "Evidence," with its tricky changes at breakneck speed, the trio deserves kudos for its nimble balancing and call-and-response handling of the composition.
Elsewhere the knowing response to this music is an affirmative yes, as the ballads "Ask Me Now" and "Reflections" are treated with an understated, delicate and endorsable touch.
Monk can be complicated or perplexing to the unknowing, yet in the hands of this trio, the music is simply effortless, sounding as straightforward and organic as it did flowing from the iconic pianist.
Broom and his trio do add some new flavors here, playing "Rhythm-a-ning" with a wee bit of funk, but still retaining its heavy swing. The same hard drive is heard on "Work" and "Bemsha Swing," which picks up a New Orleans second line groove.
There are also two tracks not credited to Monk, but definitely associated with the great one. It's hard not to hear "Lulu's Back in Town" or "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" without thinking of Monk playing solo. Broom plays "Lulu" with the trio, but handles "Smoke" alone, crafting the simple melody both as a raconteur and a keeper of the Monk flame.
">Track Listing
Ask Me Now; Evidence; Ruby, My Dear; In Walked Bud; Lulu
Personnel
Bobby Broom
guitarBobby Broom: guitar; Dennis Carroll: bass; Kobie Watkins: drums.
Album information
Title: Plays for Monk | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Origin Records
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