Jazz Articles about Sphere

like 199

Sphere: Sphere

by C. Michael Bailey
February 1, 1999

Reviewer's Note : This disc was also review by All About Jazz reviewer Ian Nicolson in the January Issue of the magazine.

Angels We Have Heard on High Thelonious Sphere Monk was a study in opposites. He was called the “high priest of Bebop" while not really being a part of it. His music is immediately iconoclastic and readily accessible. He was mysterious and quite, while being open and friendly. Monk, along with Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, exists on ...

like 129

Sphere: Sphere

by Ian Nicolson
January 1, 1999

Back in February 1982, when ex-Monk sidemen Charlie Rouse and drummer Ben Riley began the sessions for the first album by Sphere - intended as an homage to the then reclusive Thelonius' genius - they were yet to learn that he had died that same morning. Joined by pianist Kenny Barron and drummer Buster Williams from that first album, saxophonist Rouse and Riley continued to record and tour their takes on Monk's exceptional compositions, but the band broke up five ...