In My Mind

I had the pleasure of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of what is a seminal event in jazz history and recording: Thelonious Monk performing his music with a big band for the first time, at the Town Hall, in NYC, in February of 1959. Friday night, Feb 27, young and extremely gifted pianist Jason Moran performed 'In My Mind,' a tribute to Monk and his great performance 50 years ago, with his newly-created and very talented tentet, Big Bandwagon.

Moran used the 1959 performance as a jumping-off point for his tribute to Monk. The choruses and melodies of Monk's tunes were recognizable, but the music and band quickly deviated to territories unknown. A video screen hanging above the band that piped in animations and video feeds from cameras placed all around the stage made the show a truly inspired multi-media performance. During the final tune, the band walked off stage, through the theater, and, surrounded by a wide-eyed audience, concluded their performance in the lobby of the Town Hall.

Here's Moran and the Big Bandwagon, acknowledging a standing ovation, before performing their encore (photo by Jon Vachon for WNYC):


Listen to a recording of Moran and his band playing "Little Rootie Tootie" in 2007 here, and watch Moran with members of the Big Bandwagon playing "Crepuscle With Nellie" in the WNYC studios here. And check out more photos from the show, courtesy of WNYC.

You can read more on the initial Monk at Town Hall event in 1959 and 5oth Annivesary celebration here. NY Times reviewed the show here.