Craig Crofton and Martin Jenkins: Tribute to Monk

Bristol Saxophonist Craig Crofton and pianist Martin Jenkins team up to host a night dedicated to the legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk.

For most jazz lovers Monk’s music is instantly recognisable, known for its unique style on the piano and quirky melodies that seem to instantly become earworms! Monk’s formative years were spent in New York City’s Minton’s Playhouse and he was crucial in the formulation of bebop, which revolutionised jazz and sent it into the musical stratosphere. Monk shared the stage and recorded with most of the greatest jazz legends of all time including Coleman Hawkins , Charlie Parker , Max Roach , Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane – and the sax player that he really resonated with was Charlie Rouse. Charlie was a member of Thelonious Monk’s quartet from 1959 to 1970 and was featured on some of the most iconic and best-selling Monk albums of all time.

Expect some of the most recognisable Monk compositions along with some lesser known gems. There will also be one or two Monk inspired original compositions written by Craig and Martin. Joining them on rhythm will be the inestimable Pasquale Votino on bass and Paolo Adamo on drums.