As the Chicago-based guitarist explains in the interview below, he realized even in 1976 that human mortality being what it is it would be years before he acquired the chops needed to play with his be bop heroes. How many would still be around when Broom was ready? An impressive percentage, as it turned out. And Broom has made the most of the opportunity over the years, most notably as a veteran member of Sonny Rollins band.
The guitarist explores the legacy of another jazz giant on his latest album, Bobby Broom Plays for Monk. Released in June on the Origin label, the disc finds Broom and his longtime rhythm section of Dennis Carroll (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums) offering their take on such Monk originals as “Evidence," “Ruby, My Dear" and “Bemsha Swing," along with a few standards Monk favored, including “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." The cover is a witty homage to 1957s “Monks Music."
The results are deeply satisfying, made more so by the knowledge that aside from an early 40s date with Charlie Christian Monk never recorded with guitar. Heres what Broom had to say about Monk, his rhythm section and those aforementioned jazz heroes. Also check out the video below of Broom discussing the project.
