In 2011 Thelonious4 released the second album entitled 'Live at the Hot House'. The recordings were made during a great live concert at jazzclub Hot House in Leiden, the Netherlands.
The cd is loaded with genuine musical energy. Thelonious4 dares to look for adventure which can be clearly heared on the nine tracks on this album.
Monk's music is closely examined, taken apart, put together back again. A new approach which leads to pure swing, soundscapes, burning improvisations and risky interplay!
To buy: CdBaby.com
Review Jazzflits 2011 - Thelonious4 Live at the Hot House
Ladwig Jazz Records
Line Up: Iman Spaargaren (s) / Guillermo Celano (g) / Andreas Metzler (b) / Jurjen Bakker (d)
In a short period of time Iman Spaargaren has been releasing a lot of music. He is actively involved in different disciplines in jazz music. His contribution with Thelonious4 could be seen as his most serious project. The group plays Monk's music, but you would have unstood that anyway. And without a piano. Amsterdam and the love of Monk's music are two major factors in the music of the band. Guitar player Guillermo Celano found his way to the Dutch capital from Argentina and double bass player Andreas Metzler switched from Swiss to Amsterdam.
On the 20th of november 2010 Thelonious4 played at jazzclub Hot House in Leiden. The concert was recorded quite straight forward and put on disc . In the quiet pieces you can hear a photographer at work.
Of course it's all about Monk and his powerful compositions. Thelonious4 try their best to rebuild them and to put it in Spaargaren's words: 'to have them come out of the Thelonious4 blender totally fresh'. The compositions of Monk are closely examined while a preset outcome is not their goal. They even go that far that as a listener you might think they're studying the pieces like a exercise performed live. Spaargaren stands out as a typical characteristic horn player.
On the website of Thelonious4 have been put video's of the concert. The low ceiling of Hot House explains the muffled sound of the recording of the concert. 'Live at the Hot House' is a pure concert recording which will be appreciated more when one listens to it more.
In the beginning of 2012 Thelonious4 has a tour in Europe with vibraphone player Tony Miceli.
Peter J. Korten, Jazzflits 2011
