Monkathon Festival

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 - Tue 20 Jun 2017

The entire repertoire of a leading jazz pioneer is to be performed across Birmingham over the course of a special nine day festival. The event, which takes place from Monday 12 June to Tuesday 20 June, is called Monkathon in tribute to master jazz musician Thelonious Monk. The festival is to encompass the entire output of Monk to commemorate the centenary of his birth. Organised by Birmingham Conservatoire's Jazz Department, Monkathon will see all 70 of Monk's compositions performed at venues across the city by groups, soloists and internationally-renowned guest artists. Venues include the Spotted Dog, The Red Lion, CBSO Centre and Birmingham Conservatoire.



Dr Hans Koller, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, says, "Thelonious Monk is one of the 20th century giants of music, not just of jazz. His art transcends boundaries of time, style and aesthetics. Monk at 100 is a wonderful excuse to celebrate his status as an iconic figure of inspiration to us all. The Birmingham Monkathon brings together students, alumni and staff at BCU, with leading international Monk-inspired performers including Steve Cardenas from New York, Liam Noble from the UK, and Professor François Théberge from Paris Conservatoire, as well as the eminent Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, for this grand celebration. In addition, we have international students, outreach programmes, and many gigs across the city."



American composer and pianist Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) is one of the most recorded jazz artists in history who contributed many jazz standards including Straight, No Chaser, Blue Monk and Round Midnight. He was particularly known for his individual approach to composition and distinctive stage presence, making him a unique and influential musician. Highlights of Monkathon include performances by Steve Cardenas with Martin Speake, Hans Koller, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren, 'Jump Monk' with the Arnie Somogyi Small Band, and the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra in original and re-worked compositions of Monk plus brand new arrangements by special guest Trish Clowes. There is also the chance to hear exciting arrangements of Monk's early Blue Note recordings from senior students, adjudicated by Steve Cardenas, and a keynote speech by Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, who is Chair of the Department of African American Studies at the University of California in Los Angeles.



Listings

Mon 12 June, 8pm, Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire

NEW COMPOSITIONS IN JAZZ
Adjudicated by Steve Cardenas

Tue 13 June, 9pm, The Spotted Dog, Digbeth

STEVE CARDENAS SMALL BANDS

Wed 14 June, 7pm, The John Lee Theatre, Birmingham & Midland Institute

LIAM NOBLE SMALL BAND I SOLO PIANISTS

Thu 15 June, 2-5.30pm, Parkside Campus, Birmingham City University

THELONIOUS MONK SYMPOSIUM: BEING THELONIOUS MONK AT 100
Keynote speaker: Professor Robin Kelley plus guest presentations

Thu 15 June, 8pm, CBSO Centre

THELONIOUS with STEVE CARDENAS
Guitarist Steve Cardenas in performance with Martin Speak (saxophone), Hans Koller (piano, euphonium), Calum Gourlay (bass) and James Maddren (drums)

Thu 15 June, 10.30pm, Cogs Bar, Newhall Street, Birmingham

RE-IMAGINING MONK PROJECT I FEATURING CHRIS YOUNG

Fri 16 June, 7.45pm, The Red Lion, Warstone Lane, Birmingham

JUMP MONK
PLUS SUPPORT FROM THE ARNIE SOMOGYI SMALL BAND
Featuring Mark Edwards (piano), Arnie Somogyi (bass), Andrew Bain (drums), Jeremy Price (trombone), Andy Panayi (saxes)

Sat 17 June, 1.30-3pm, Symphony Hall, ICC Hall 6 [NB change of time and venue]

THE NOTEBENDERS PLUS BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE JAZZ STUDENTS

Sun 18 June, 2pm, The Spotted Dog, Digbeth

BIRMINGHAM JAZZ ORCHESTRA FEATURING TRISH CLOWES

Mon 19 June, 9pm, Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire

LIAM NOBLE SMALL BAND II
Part of CODA

Tue 20 June, 9pm, The Spotted Dog, Digbeth

FRANÇOIS THÉBERGE SMALL BAND PLUS RE-IMAGINING MONK II FEATURING DAVE FERRIS

In addition, small bands will perform at:

Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester (14 June)
Ward End Primary School, Birmingham (14 June)
Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire (tbc)
Washwood Heath Academy, Birmingham (20 June)

Tickets can be reserved by calling Birmingham Conservatoire Concerts and Events Office on 0121 331 5909 or by going online .

#central_birmingham
#concerts
#jazz
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#june
!date 12/06/2017 -- 20/06/2017
%wnbirmingham