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Thursday, 08 January 2009

Monk in Motian Returns to the Dakota, Late Night on October 10th

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Thursday, 09 October 2008

Zacc Harris and Jeremy Boettcher©Andrea Canter

“You know, anybody can play a composition and use far-out chords and make it sound wrong. It’s making it sound right that’s not easy." -- Thelonious Monk, 1961

One of the greatest (and most prolific) composers of the 20th century, for many years only the most sophisticated jazz musicians, including Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, appreciated the genius of Thelonious Monk. Yet today, Monk’s compositions are part of the standard repertoire of jazz, from straight ahead to avant garde. Not only did Monk write hundreds of tunes, his off-kilter structures and rhythms offer endless avenues for interpretation regardless of stylistic leanings. One such group of interpreters debuted last summer as Monk in Motian, and they return to the Dakota stage as part of the Late Night series this Friday, October 10th at 11:30 pm.

Brandon Wozniak©Andrea Canter

A collaboration of several members of the Atlantis Quintet-- saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, and drummer Pete Hennig--along with guitarist Park Evans and bassist Jeremy Boettcher, Monk in Motian reinterprets the music of Monk through the musical style of Paul Motian’s Electric Bebop Band. In other words, the compositions of one genius as filtered through the mind of another. Monk is often cited as one of the founders of bebop, given his affiliations with Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Milt Jackson and more in the 1940s and 50s. However, his style veered off in an idiocyncratic direction, his compositions marked by dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists, while his unique piano style featured a highly percussive attack with abrupt use of silence and hesitations. Once a bandmate of Monk himself, the highly prolific drummer Paul Motian was also affiliated in the 50s with Stan Getz, George Russell, and particularly Bill Evans. Moving the drummer’s role far beyond timekeeping, Motian went on to work with Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Charlie Haden, Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell.

Park Evans©Andrea Canter

The Monk in Motian band has the chops to handle the challenge of merging these two legendary forces. Saxman Brandon Wozniak previously lived and worked in New York City, toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and earned his BA from Indiana University under the tutelage of David Baker. Since arriving in the Twin Cities in 2006, he has performed with local bands led by Bruce Henry, Katie Gearty and Sam Kuusisto, and is also a member of the 3rio. Zacc Harris came to Minneapolis three years ago from Illinois, where he graduated from Southern Illinois University. Here he formed the Luminessence Trio (now Zacc Harris Trio) and has also played with Tanner Taylor, Jay Epstein, Katie Gearty, Sophia Shorai and John Starkey. In addition to performing, Zacc is dedicated to teaching, and has taught guitar for the past decade. Also on guitar, Park Evans keeps busy leading his own Quartet and playing sideman on numerous projects, including Katie Gearty, Sophia Shorai, Fonster, Tickle Fight and Inspirado. With his Quartet he released Surviving Desire in 2007. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire graduate Jeremy Boettcher studied with bassist John Clayton and played with such artists as Benny Green and Lewis Nash. Lately Jeremy has played with Cookie Coleman, Laura Caviani, Nachito Herrera and the John Raymond Project. Drummer Pete Hennig came to the Twin Cities to study at McNally Smith. After graduating he spent an additional three years studying with Dave King (Bad Plus, Happy Apple). His performance credits include Debbie Duncan, Katie Gearty, Sam Kuusisto, Tickle Fight, Patrick Harrison, Johnny Clueless, Park Evans and more.

Pete Hennig©Andrea Canter

At their debut performance last summer, Monk in Motian proved beyond doubt that one can never be complacent regarding Thelonious Monk. The music is an open door for improvisation and quirky combinations of instruments as well as notes and rhythms. Our local interpreters offer a perfect accompaniment to a late evening—music guaranteed to keep your mind and ears stimulated, in a very entertaining context.

Monk in Motian performs as part of the Late Night series at the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Sets begin at 11:30 pm following the prime time sets from the New Standards Trio. Cover $5. More about Monk in Motian at http://www.myspace.com/monkinmotian. For a review of the summer performance, visit http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/7808/115/

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