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Organ Monk: Uwo In the Black
by Howard Mandel
Organ Monk is the inspired--some might say mad"--project of Brooklyn-based keyboardist Greg Lewis to play the unique compositions of Thelonious Monk as they've never been played before. Lewis throws down Monk's memorable turns of melody and digs into his harmonic insights, mostly at groovin' rhythms, on the Hammond C 3 organ. It's tempting to say Lewis' style on that inimitable instrument is all stops out"--because he's more than mastered the complex multi-manual and foot-pedaled contraption. He's become an exciting innovator ...
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by Dan Bilawsky
Many a jazz musician visits the territory of pianist Thelonious Monk for a short spell, but organist Greg Lewis seems to have signed up for an extended stay. His Organ Monk (Self Produced, 2010) proved to be a completely original and exciting take on the music of the man affectionately and reverently called the High Priest of Bop, but Lewis didn't linger on this success. He buckled down and put together a sequel that is every bit as enjoyable, though ...
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by Hrayr Attarian
It takes abundant courage and uncommon musical vision to radically reinterpret the works of such an idiosyncratic genius as pianist Thelonious Monk. Fortunately, organist Greg Lewis possesses both as is evident on the second volume of his Organ Monk trilogy, Uwo In The Black. As he did on Organ Monk (Self Produced, 2010), Lewis adds a few of his own tunes to the Monk repertoire, seamlessly blending into the overall thematic structure. The organist's In the Black--My ...
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by Larry Taylor
Uwo in the Black is organist Greg Lewis' second recording based on Thelonious Monk's music--in fact, it is the second in a projected trilogy. Lewis' debut in 2010, Organ Monk, gained high respect from critics. Whereas, the first effort was a trio affair, Lewis expands the group here by adding Reginald R. Woods on tenor saxophone. Woods' hard-edged tone and highly-charged style bring the flavor of Monk's regular tenor man Charlie Rouse to the studio. The sax also adds considerably ...
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