More Monk, plus Mrs. Monk

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original

By Robin D.G. Kelley, 2009

Nellie Monk was a smart and resourceful woman with many roles throughout her life: seamstress, mother, wife with many duties to Monk, as medic, nutritionist, narco officer, and expert in all aspects of the music business. She was his de facto personal manager and assistant road manager.

Juicing was a daily routine for Nellie. There was a dispute about Nellie’s juicing that came to a head at the house. The solution was that Monk moved to the mansion of Pannonica de Koenigswarter (Nica), their friend and benefactor. 

From Kelley’s tome: 438p-440p

The apartment began to resemble a health food store. According to their niece Jackie, “The neighbors would complain because they had so much trash, since it would leave lots of pulp.” … Nellie worked to keep abreast of Monk’s [contracts and] paperwork, but she also needed time to make her juices and nurse others. Monk had become so dependent on Nellie that he felt neglected. …

[Jackie Smith, his niece, said] “He moved in with Nica and never came back.” 

At first, Nellie was distraught. Despite all the stress she endured caring for Thelonious she couldn’t live apart from her husband. They were best friends and she still adored him. And the move gave Nellie a much-needed respite. … Nica and Nellie’s relationship was not harmed by the change; on the contrary, they teamed up rather well to provide the best care possible [for Monk]. 

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original

By Robin D.G. Kelley, 2009

I read this massive biography over two periods of time: the first quarter of it sometime in the last half-decade, and then finished the tome in the last few months. 600 pages! Monk’s life from birth to death. Kelley documents everything. 

Here is an episode from 1953 in Brooklyn.  

There are two names that are similar:  

• Thelonious Monk, the jazz pianist

• Theolonious, Monk’s nephew. 

Kelley interviewed Theolonious on Jan. 30, 2004.

From Kelley’s tome:

Earlier in the week Miles Davis and Max Roach met at Thelonious's apartment to go over the music. Monk’s nephew, Theolonious (“Peanut”), who just happened to come in from playing basketball, witnessed Miles, Monk and Max crammed into the tiny front room with the upright piano. The session turned sour when Miles made disparaging remarks about Monk’s playing. Monk just glared at first, but Miles would not relent and soon the dispute escalated into a shouting match. 

“Max didn’t say nothing,” recalled Theolonious, who was fourteen at the time.

“Uncle Bubba stood up and towered over Miles and they were about to go to blows. And I remember thinking, ‘Who is this little guy? I’ll whip him myself.’ Then my father [Thomas] came in the house and said, ‘Miles, man, you got a problem?’ And Monk said, ‘This is my band, my music.’ Miles said, ‘But you’re not playing it right, Monk.’ Miles looked up at Monk and I thought he was going to hit him with the trumpet. Then Monk finally said, ‘I think you better leave. This is my mother’s house and I don't want no violence in here.’ Then my father went over to Miles and said, ‘Man, I think you better go.’”

Bobby Watson: ‘Back Home in Kansas City’

His latest record is from Smoke Sessions in New York, 2022, and the sentiment is K.C. I found this album on Christmas Day, and I have been discovering things with every listen. The title tune is a fiery warmup, which is useful for below-zero days. 

There are four more pieces by Bobby Watson (alto saxophone).

“Our Love Remains” is a writing collaboration between Bobby and Pamela Watson. Carmen Lundy adds smooth, delicate vocals on this song. 

“Bon Voyage”: The title and the melody feel like Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.” For me, I like both voyages. 

The title, “Side Steps,” suggests “Giant Steps,” but the pace is less frenetic.

The last tune is “Blues for Alto,” a romp for everybody at the end of the session.

Three songs are from the players:

“Red Bank Heist”: Victor Jones (drums). Throughout the album, he uses symbols gracefully. On Jones’ tune, Watson and Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) blend really well. I couldn’t hear if they were in unison or harmonizing.

“The Star in the East”: Cyrus Chestnut (piano), with charming solos for Watson and Chestnut. 

“Celestial”: Jeremy Pelt (trumpet): has a welcoming feel with the use of Pelt’s mute. 

Watson also brought in three songs by other writers. One of them was “Dear Lord” by John Coltrane. That piece may make you think about life.

Bigger band: ‘Dynamic Maximum Tension’

I didn't know about Darcy James Argue until Randy Hamm brought Argue to Missouri State for the Jazz Studies students to hear in 2012. The next year, I found Argue's big band, the Secret Society. Then a decade went along. 

I recently discovered his massive two-disc album, Dynamic Maximum Tension, which contains a 35-minute piece that feels like a four-movement symphony. The band has 22 players, with violin, guitar, voice, and a 10-string hardanger d'amore.

The first disc starts with a little cheer and splash of sugar, then a barrage of baritone sax. The second piece creates a ballast of low tones for trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis’s silky tone. The first disc ends with bass player Matt Clohesy and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen skillfully interweaving throughout the piece.

There are seven long solos on “Tensile Curves,” and when the whole band explodes, it’s really fun, but it’s hard to understand what’s happening. The last piece of the second disc is “Mae West: Advice.” Cécile McLorin Salvant, with her precise and delightful singing, blends with Ingrid Jensen’s smooth but swift delivery on trumpet.

2023 Christmas uplifting things

The Christmas season began with the arrival of my brother Jason on December 19th and the next evening we went to hear MOJO at the Gillioz. This show of yuletide tunes was the best and most well designed performance I've ever heard from this band. 

There were three singers with different approaches: 

Christin Bohrisch scatted "Jingle Bells" and sang "Sleigh Ride.”

Laura French, with great stage presence, sang "Merry Christmas Baby" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?”

Angelia King delivered a big sound with "Cool Yules" and "This Christmas.”

The band brought jazzy charts. One of the Christmas pieces felt like it was deconstructed, then rebuilt throughout the song. Congrats to Randy Hamm for providing such a great evening.  

— — —

Other stuff through the holidays:

Movie at the Moxie - Next Goal Wins: There are many misfit and unusual soccer players in this movie about a coach finding redemption in American Samoa. Funny and uplifting characters.

Route 66 Car Museum: Me, Jen and Jason had our first visit to this local site. Very interesting.

Mini golf at Fun Acres: Had good strokes and bad strokes, just had fun. Beautiful weather.

A few walks until the weather became too cold.

The cat had fun, too. She likes to drink from the bird bath.

Best wishes to you all for a peaceful 2024.