BARD’S MUSIC PROGRAM PRESENTS A “MONK MARATHON” ON OCTOBER 13

BARD’S MUSIC PROGRAM PRESENTS A “MONK MARATHON” ON OCTOBER 13 ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Thurman Barker, associate professor of music at Bard, has organized a “Monk Marathon”—a day devoted to the music of jazz great Thelonious Monk—at Bard College on Wednesday, October 13. Free and open to the public, the program will begin at noon and continue until midnight in the multipurpose room of the Bertelsmann Campus Center. Documentary films about Monk and his music will be shown in the campus center’s George Ball Lounge from noon till 8:00 p.m. Highlighting the marathon at 8:00 p.m., the John Esposito ensemble—with pianist Esposito (a member of Bard’s Music Program), bassist Lou Scott, drummer Peter O’Brien, and trumpeter Greg Glassman—will perform works by Thelonious Monk. Other performers will include the Bard College Jazz Ensemble; Bard students, faculty, and staff; and residents of the Hudson Valley. Two films about Monk, Straight, No Chaser and The World According to Monk, will be shown throughout the day. “I see this as a continuous stream of people who love jazz,” says Barker. “You don’t need to be a musician—poets, writers, or anyone who loves jazz is welcome to participate. All anyone has to do is show up—the microphone and stage are ready, bring your instrument, your poems, your prose, and we’ll celebrate Monk.” Thelonious Monk (1917–82) is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz and one of the architects of bebop. He played on recordings with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Sonny Rollins. His recordings Brilliant Corners and Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane brought Monk international attention as a pianist and composer. In 1957 he formed the Thelonious Monk Quartet, which included John Coltrane; the group’s performances were hugely successful and received the highest critical praise. Monk toured the United States and Europe with the quartet and made some of his most influential recordings. In 1964, Monk appeared on the cover of Time magazine, an honor that has been bestowed on only three other jazz musicians. The Smithsonian Institution has immortalized Monk’s work with an archive of his music and the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor. For further information about the “Monk Marathon,” call the Music Program at 845-758-7250. # # # (9/28/04) (Editor’s Note: Thurman Barker and John Esposito are available for interviews, call 845-758-7512 or e-mail [email protected].)

This event was last updated on 10-14-2004

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