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Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble: Elegy for Thelonious
ByCarlberg returns to Monk for Elegy For Thelonious with another 18-piece ensemble, this time conducting and leaving the piano and keyboard duties to Genovese. Carlberg's partner Correa returns plus the Priya Carlberg sharing vocal duties. As a composer, Carlberg eschews impersonating Monk, opting instead to re-compose his music utilizing what he calls melodic "cells and splinters" of Monk. The opening track "Spooky Rift We Pat" (an anagram of "Tea For Two" and "Skippy") incorporates the simple composition into the Monk piece creating a logic from incongruous parts. Correa's vocals center the performance, as do solos from saxophonist Adam Kolker and trumpeter David Adewumi. Carlberg, like Monk before him, takes the familiar and makes it his own. "Out of Steam" deconstructs Monk's "Locomotive," "Scallop's Scallop" ("Gallop's Gallop"), and "Wrinkle In Trinkle" ("Trinkle Tinkle"). Carlberg's imaginative arrangements are underscored by the fine soloing of the likes of Kirk Knuffke, John Carlson, Brain Drye, Chris Washburne, Jeremy Udden, and Henry Paz. Carlson chose Genovese, not because he was a Monk impersonator, but because he brought his own voice to this project.
The centerpiece here is the title track where Genovese adds eerie electric keyboards to his acoustic attack as Correa recites Yusef Komunyakaa's tribute poem with backing from Priya Carlberg. The music weaves scenes and images of Monk around his composition titles while referencing the hymn "Abide By Me." This fitting elegy leads us to conclude this dude (Carlberg) abides.
Track Listing
Spooky Rift We Pat; Out of Steam; Wanting More; Elegy for Thelonious; Scallop’s Scallop; Wrinkle on Trinkle; Brake Tune.
Personnel
Frank Carlberg
composer / conductorSam Hoyt
trumpetBrian Drye
trombonePriya Carlberg
vocalsLeo Genovese
keyboardsKim Cass
bass, acousticMichael Sarin
drumsChristine Correa
vocalsJohn Carlson
trumpetDavid Adewumi
trumpetKirk Knuffke
trumpetChris Washburne
tromboneTyler Bonilla
tromboneMax Seigel
tromboneJeremy Udden
woodwindsAdam Kolker
woodwindsHery Paz
woodwindsAndrew Hadro
woodwindsAlbum information
Title: Elegy for Thelonious | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
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About Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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