"But make no make mistake, this isn't just advanced intellectualism, but infectiously swinging and harmonic music . It might be "Nutty," but it's also filled with "Bemsha Swing" to quote two of the Monk- titles played on the album. A welcome addition to the group's universe is vibraphonist Tony Miceli, who has the same balance between free-wheeling swing and advanced rhythms and harmony. It is simply a joy to follow the unison lines between guitar, saxophone and vibes. This is a group that plays as an organic unit, but still has the refreshing idiosyncratic individualism that characterized Monk's music" (Jakob Baekgaard, All About Jazz).
The CD Thelonious4 meets Tony Miceli is available on Dot Time Records (dottimerecords.com). Thelonious4's third record is a fresh, inspiring album full of Monk's music played by Thelonious4 and the virtuoso vibraphone player Tony Miceli from Philadelphia, USA.
Thelonious4
The band members of Thelonious4 got to know each other while studying at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Coming from different countries and different musical backgrounds they were eager to start a group dedicated to the music of Monk in combination with other musical influences. The band functions as a true collective while examining tunes and trying out different approaches. For each tune they look for a totally fresh outcome in this process whilst not forgetting the richnesses of Monk's heritage: swing and rhythmical surprises, awkward melodies and intriguing hamonies.
Iman Spaargaren (NL, saxophones) performs regularly with Iman Spaargaren Quartet (Young VIPs Tour 2012) and Undercurrent(imanspaargaren.nl). Guillermo Celano (ARG, guitar) co-founded the Celano-Baggiani Group with Michael Moore o.a. He is the winner of the North Sea Jazz Festival composition project 2013. In the past years he participated in different projects and played with musicians such as: Ellery Eskelin, Sylvie Courvoisier, Arnold Dooyeweerd (guillermocelano.com). Andreas Metzler (DE, double bass) is an all round player. New Solutions is one of his promising groups (jazzamsterdam.org). Jurjen Bakker (NL, drums) played with the exciting band Quincy.
Tony Miceli
Some years ago Thelonious4's bass player Andreas Metzler met vibraphone player Tony Miceli on one of his famous vibraphone workshops in Europe. They got to play together and talked about music and found out that they shared a common love for the works of Thelonious Monk. They both got excited about the idea to join forces and set up a tour and make a CD.
Vibraphonist Tony Miceli (tonymiceli.com), whose playing has been compared with the legendary Milt Jackson and Gary Burton, grew up in New Jersey, currently resides in Philadelphia, and has been working steadily on the jazz scene since 1980. As a group leader, sideman and recording artist, he has performed with David Liebman, Jimmy Bruno, Ken Peplowski o.a. In addition to his busy schedule of performances and recordings, Miceli is a sought after master teacher. He conducts workshops and master classes in Europe and USA He is also a member of the Jazz Faculty at the University of the Arts and Temple University and serves as a consultant to various music and arts organizations. Of his playing and musicianship, reviewers have praise: “phenomenal”, “Miceli's playing had a transcendent glow”, “stunning virtuosity”.
Thelonious4 meets Tony Miceli
The CD “Thelonious4 meets Tony Miceli” commemorates in an unexpected piano-less combination, Monk's music while keeping it fresh and taking it into new places guided by the out-of-the-ordinary combo, its levels and its layers. In doing that, this album pays homage of the highest caliber to Monk.
Thelonious4 practicing the LIM (less is more) concept that characterized Monk's music has Iman Spaargaren on sax, who is rooting the whole composition remaining true to the source and respecting Monk's tradition. Guillermo Celano's electric guitar providing the 'white noise' that Monk loved so much. And the two remaining essential components in the mix: Metzler and Bakker who provide a solid rhythm section, or if you will a Sphere-like carrying case for the music created.
Add to that the vibraphone of Micelli, as soft and smooth as silk, providing the perfect counterpoint to Monk's Staccato like phrases and piano playing style.
Text written by Thelonious4 and Guy Zinger, All About Jazz / Adore Jazz on 1.FM
... Written after listening to this album by Guy Zinger, Adore Jazz on 1.FM / All About Jazz
More information: thelonious4.com
