A refreshing take on some of Thelonious Monk's lesser known compositions including "Oska T.", "Raise Four" and more. Released as the second disc of The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery, and performed with bassists Robert Hurst and Eric Revis, and drummers Nate Winn and Tina Raymond.
What they are saying about the Monk the Minimalist
"Hearing him perform in trio with this collection of musicians is akin to watching an athlete achieve excellence in shedding the constraints of technique and form."
★ ★ ★ ★ (Best of 2024)
"Whether he's reinterpreting Monk, challenging himself on a new instrument, or crafting elaborate album concepts, Caleb Wheeler Curtis embodies the spirit of innovation that keeps jazz vital and relevant."
"All it takes is a brief listen to become engaged with making one’s own connections, synapses firing at the breadth and spirit imbued in this wealth of vibrant music."
'"Ugly Beauty," a feisty duet with Faulkner, is a masterclass in improvisation'
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (Best of 2024)
"Caleb Wheeler Curtis uses his own musical language and creates overlapping instrumental parts that oscillate between free play and post-Monk tradition."
"this isn’t just another offering of typical Monk compositions"
