Video of the Day: Dave O’Higgins shares Thelonious Monk’s ‘Green Chimneys’ from new album 4 in 1
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
The leading UK saxophonist returns with his new trio album that celebrates the iconic music of Monk
Monkin’ Around is a new, dynamic trio featuring saxophonist Dave O’Higgins, bassist Luke Fowler and drummer Billy Pod. Their debut recording, 4 in 1, presents an innovative exploration of Thelonious Monk’s repertoire including some little-known gems. Released on 4 October on Ubuntu Music the album also features special guests Sean Fyfe (piano) and Martin Shaw (trumpet).
The addition of Fyfe and Shaw on selected tracks offers listeners four distinct ensemble formats within one album, as O’Higgins reflects on the project, saying, “In trio format with no chordal instrument, it was an interesting challenge that demanded some degree of re-interpretation.”
On the recording’s significance Fowler comments: “This is a really exciting project because it allows us to delve into Monk’s jazz cubism and reinterpret it in a fresh, minimalist way.” Pod adds: “Monk’s strong rhythmic ideas create a unique melody of their own, providing a great canvas for us to experiment with and create our own improvisational stories.”
Recorded over two sessions in a live set up, 4 in 1 captures the spontaneous interactions among the musicians. “Everyone in the same room, no headphones, just like we play on a gig,” says O’Higgins. “This is very “old school” and doesn’t allow for things like clinical separation or repairs but, on a good day, it’s often much more intuitive and enjoyable for the musicians.”
The group play the following dates in support of the album: Hampstead Jazz Club, London (26 September); Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho London (album launch, 16 October), Bear Club, Luton (16 November), Jazz Club, Chichester (29 November) and Parakeet, Kentish Town, London (17 February 2025).
See the video for ‘Green Chimneys’ below and for more info visit www.daveohiggins.com/monkin-around-trio
