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Home , Jason Moran (musician), Nasheet Waits, Paul Jeffrey, Tarus Mateen, Wallace Roney, Walter Smith III

PHOTO BY CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE

JASON MORAN PRESENTS: IN MY MIND: MONK AT TOWN HALL, 1959 Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 7:30pm Tryon Festival Theatre PROGRAM PRESENTS: IN MY MIND: MONK AT TOWN HALL 1959

Jason Moran, Wallace Roney Jr., trumpet Immanuel Wilkins, alto Walter Smith III, tenor saxophone , trombone , tuba , bass , drums David Dempewolf, videographer

The performance will be announced from the stage.

This performance will be presented with no intermission.

Jason Moran appears by with: Vision Arts Management 16 Clint Finger Road Saugerties, NY 12477 845.247.8969

International Music Network 278 Main Street Gloucester, MA 01930 imnworld.com

2 THE ACT OF GIVING THANK YOU FOR SPONSORING THIS PERFORMANCE Krannert Center honors the spirited generosity of the donors who make these performances possible. This event is supported by:

JAYNE & RICHARD BURKHARDT First-Time Sponsors

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JANICE BAHR & ERWIN HOFFMAN LISA & MARK KLINGER One Previous Sponsorship Four Previous Sponsorships

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LESLIE & GARY MASON SUSAN & ROBERT WELKE First-Time Sponsors Ten Previous Sponsorships Two Current Sponsorships

*PHOTO CREDIT: ILLINI STUDIO 3 ANONYMOUS Ninety-Five Previous Sponsorships Ten Current Sponsorships THE ACT OF GIVING OF ACT THE

CORPORATE SILVER SPONSOR Six Previous Sponsorships Two Current Sponsorships

FRANCES P. ROHLEN VISITING ARTISTS FUND/ COLLEGE OF FINE + APPLIED ARTS

The Frances P. Rohlen Visiting Artist Fund supports performance and engagement activities with Jason Moran presents: In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1959

HELP SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF THE ARTS. BECOME A KRANNERT CENTER SPONSOR BY CONTACTING OUR DEVELOPMENT TEAM TODAY: KrannertCenter.com/Give • [email protected] • 217.333.1629

4 PROGRAM NOTES THELONIOUS SPHERE MONK (1917-1982) is In 1957 the Quartet, which recognized as one of the most influential figures included , began a regular gig at in the history of . He was one of the architects The Five Spot. The group’s performances were of bebop and his impact as a composer and hugely successful and received the highest pianist has had a profound influence on every critical praise. Over the next few years, Monk genre of music. Monk was born on October 10, toured the United States and Europe and made 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, but his some of his most influential recordings. In 1964 parents, Barbara Batts and Thelonious Monk, Monk appeared on the cover of Time magazine, soon moved the family to . Monk an honor that has been bestowed on only three began piano lessons as a young child and by other jazz musicians. By this time Monk was a the age of 13, he had won the weekly Amateur favorite at jazz festivals around the world, where Contest at the Apollo Theater so many times he performed with his quartet, which included that he was barred from entering. At the age long-time associate Charlie Rouse. In the early of 19, Monk joined the house band at Minton’s 1970s he discontinued touring and recording Playhouse in , where along with Charlie and appeared only on rare occasions at Lincoln Parker, , and a handful of other Center, , and the Newport Jazz players, he developed the style of jazz that came Festival. to be known as bebop. Monk’s compositions, among them Round Midnight, were the canvasses Monk died on February 17, 1982. His more than over which these legendary soloists expressed 70 compositions are classics that continue to their musical ideas. inspire artists in all forms of music. In his lifetime he received numerous awards and continues In 1947 Monk made his first recordings as to be honored posthumously. The Smithsonian a leader for Blue Note. These are Institution has immortalized his work with an some of the earliest documents of his unique archive of his music. In addition, the U.S. Postal compositional and improvisational style, both of Service issued a stamp in his honor. A feature which employed unusual repetition of phrases, documentary on Monk’s life, Straight, No Chaser, an offbeat use of space, and joyfully dissonant was released to critical acclaim. The Thelonious sounds. That same year, he married his long-time Monk Institute of Jazz was founded to honor love Nellie Smith (1921-2002) and later had two Monk by preserving the music to which he children, Thelonious Jr. (b. 1949) and Barbara dedicated his life. Monk’s integrity, originality, (1954-1984). In the decade that followed, Monk and unique approach set a standard that is a played on recordings with , Charlie shining example for all who strive for musical Parker, and Sonny Rollins, and recorded as a excellence. leader for Prestige Records and later for Riverside Records. Brilliant Corners and Thelonious Monk To learn more about Thelonious Monk, his life and with John Coltrane were two of the albums from his music, please visit: monkinstitute.com this period that brought Monk international attention as a pianist and composer.

5 PROFILES JASON MORAN, a pianist, composer and relationship of the blues to healing. He has been educator, grew up in , Texas. He began on the faculty of the New England Conservatory studying piano when he was six, but early on of Music since 2010, and also teaches in developed a strong interest in both and Copenhagen at The Rhythm Conservatory. He jazz and graduated from Houston’s High School lives with his wife, Alicia Hall Moran, in Harlem. for the Performing and Visual Arts. He moved to New York and graduated from the Manhattan WALLACE RONEY II (trumpet) has always had School of Music. He started his professional music as a part of his family pedigree—his father career playing with , and his debut being renowned trumpeter Wallace Roney Sr. as recording on , Soundtrack to well has his mother being universally-acclaimed Human Motion, was released in 1999 to great pianist . Roney picked up the trumpet critical praise. The following year, very early. His father used to hold his horn up to established his trio The Bandwagon, with bassist his mouth and he would be able to get a sound Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, and out of the horn when he was just an infant. In fact, prompted JazzTimes Magazine to declare the Roney made his first official recording debut on "an instant classic” and Rolling Stone to his mother's album The Gathering in which he state “Jason Moran is shaping up to be the most blows a couple notes on his dad’s horn, on the provocative thinker in current jazz.” outro of the song “Angels” at 18 months old.

Since his first album, Jason he has produced Growing up in a household full of music, it wasn’t 10 additional albums and six film soundtracks, long before Roney took a serious interest in including scores for Ava DuVernay’s filmsSelma playing trumpet. His idols include , and 13th. In 2007, Moran was commissioned to Miles Davis, , and create IN MY MIND: Monk at Town Hall, 1959, At age 10, after showing enormous interest in producing a critically-acclaimed multi-media playing, his father finally gave him his very own performance investigating Thelonious Monk’s horn. famous recording, Monk at Town Hall. Recent Since then, Roney has shared the bandstand releases include The Armory Concert (2016), with many legendary musicians which include Thanksgiving at the Vanguard (2017), and BANGS , Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, Lenny (2017) under his own label Yes Records. White, , and Ornette Coleman. In 2010 Moran was awarded a MacArthur Roney continues to play in numerous venues and Fellowship and in 2011 he was appointed artistic performance spaces across the United States advisor to jazz at The Kennedy Center. By 2014 and internationally. He is currently finishing he was made artistic director for jazz. Music a bachelor's of arts in jazz studies at Oberlin education plays a central role in Moran’s life. He Conservatory of Music. teamed up with Chicago high school students IMMANUEL WILKINS (alto saxophone) is an and artist Theater Gates to create Looks of a American saxophonist, composer, arranger, and Lot, an evening length concert exploring the bandleader. While growing up in the

6 area, he played in his church and programs with many jazz notables including Eric Reed, dedicated to teaching jazz music such as the Clef , , , Club of Jazz and Performing Arts. Wilkins has had Lauren Hill, Destiny’s Child, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the opportunity to play in Japan, Europe, South Terri Lynne Carrington, and a host of others. America, United Arab Emirates, and the United To date, he has appeared on more than 100 States, working and/or recording with the Count recordings that are released worldwide. Basie Orchestra, , Delfeayo Marsalis, from Houston, Texas, where he attended , Hubert Laws, , Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts, Lalah Hathaway, Solange Knowles, and Wynton Smith now resides in the Los Angeles, California, Marsalis. He currently attends The Juilliard area and is an associate professor of jazz studies School, where he studied with saxophonists Steve at Indiana University. Wilson and the late Joe Temperley. By emerging on the scene at a young age around various FRANK LACY (trombone) was born August 9, masters, he continues to pursue his goals of being 1958, the sixth in a family of 13 children from a force in music and society today. His mission is Houston, Texas. He entered high school at to create a sound that has a profound spiritual Houston’s famed Forest Brook High from 1972- and emotional impact, and to become a great 1976 under the tutelage of famed trumpeter leader in the lineage of jazz musicians throughout John “Hurricane” Roberts, trombonist Ronald history. Through studying the human pathos of “Thunder” Thornton, and clarinet prodigy Edgar the music and the culture of jazz, he aspires to Thomas. bring people together through the commonality He attended Texas Southern University on music of love and belief in this music. scholarship from 1976-1979 and was a member of WALTER SMITH III (tenor saxophone) may the famed Tsu Jazz Ensemble under the direction appear as a young gun on the scene at age 36, of Robert Lanny Steele and Howard Harris. Lacy however he is widely recognized as an adept moved to to attend the Berklee College performer, accomplished composer, and inspired of Music in 1979, studying applied trombone, jazz educator. Smith will release his fifth album as composition/arranging, film composition, and a leader in February 2018. In the jazz tradition, . Smith has developed under the wings of many of While at Berklee from 1980-1981, Lacy held down the music’s greats. Smith is/has been a member the jam session stint at the famed Wally’s Jazz of several legendary groups (recording and/ Club, taught jazz improvisation, jazz theory, and or touring) including the Roy Haynes Fountain arranging at the famed summer Jazz Workshop of Youth Band, Quintet, Eric directed by Bubbha Thomas and Conrad Harland’s Voyager Band, Jason Moran’s In My Johnson. Mind: Monk at Town Hall, the Christian McBride Situation band, group, and the Upon relocation to New York, Lacy joined Slide Sean Jones Quintet. Smith has performed all over Hampton’s World of Trombones, Jackie Byard’s the world participating in numerous international Apollo Stompers, Charlie Persip’s Superband, festivals as well as famed venues such as Carnegie and Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band. In Hall and the Kennedy Center. In addition, he has 1982 Lacy moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, shared the stage and/or appeared on recordings to attend , studying more

7 physics and jazz with the famed “Jazz Professors” professional musician with his two older brothers, including Larry Ridley, Ted Dunbar, , Roy (drums) and Radji (saxophone), who toured Paul Jeffrey, William “Prof” Fielder, and Michael Jamaica with their group. By the time Mateen Carvin. was a teenager, he was a studio musician for some of California’s early rappers and had toured In 1986-1988, Lacy either recorded, toured, and/ nationally with his brothers. or performed with the following artists: Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy, Organ Ensemble, Roots In 1985 Mateen moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to to the Source, Blues Project, Dick Tracy, The attend Morehouse College, majoring in music. Eurythmics, ’s Big Band (Grammy- Setting the local club circuit on fire, he sharpened nominated), among others. From 1990-2000, Lacy his skills on both the upright and electric bass. toured with his own quartet and from 2000-2014, While he was playing in Savannah, Georgia, Art Lacy recorded, toured, and/or per-formed with Blakey encouraged Mateen to move to New York The Mingus Big Band (as featured trombonist and and join his band at the recommendation of front vocalist), Captain Black Big Band, Revive Da Live liners and Philip Harper. Upon Big Band, Danny Petroni Blues Project, the 10 arriving in New York in 1988, Mateen landed a 32 K Collective (a trio with bassist Kevin Ray and new artist’s dream gig—a one and a half-year drummer Andrew Drury), Steve Turre Trombone stint with legendary jazz master , with Sextet, and ’s Mental Images. whom he recorded a Grammy-nominated CD.

Lacy currently coaches a Mingus ensemble at Mateen has also made his mark on film with Manhattan School of Music. trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard on the scores for Sugar Hill, the Spike Lee film Malcolm BOB STEWART (tuba) is a Grammy-nominee and X, as well as the Grammy-nominated Malcolm has performed and recorded with such luminaries X Jazz Suite. Mateen’s original score for the as , Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Sonny upcoming documentary film, King George: A Rollins, , Arthur Blythe, and King Runs for President—about George Weah, throughout his 49-year career. an international soccer star—is gaining pre- While a faculty member at Julliard School for the screening momentum in Hollywood. Additionally, last 15 years, Stewart has continued to lead his he has featured music on RFK Goes to South own ensembles. His latest critically acclaimed Africa, a documentary about Robert F. Kennedy recording, Connections—Mind the Gap, features fighting Apartheid. strings and horns in a double quartet. Stewart has also established the annual Bob Stewart Tuba NASHEET WAITS (drummer) is a New York Competition to inspire tuba players to lead and native. His interest in playing the drums was compose for their own ensembles. encouraged by his father, legendary percussionist Frederick Waits. Waits’ college education began TARUS MATEEN (bass) has a creative genius and at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, mastery of acoustic bass, electric bass, rhythm where he majored in psychology and history. guitar, and piano that make him one of the most Deciding that music would be his main focus, sought-after musician/producers in hip hop, he continued his college studies in New York at house, blues, rock, reggae, soul, and straight- Long Island University, where he graduated with ahead jazz. Mateen began his journey as a honors, receiving his bachelor in arts in music.

8 While attending Long Island University, Waits Amidst his performing, recording, and touring studied privately with renowned percussionist activity, Waits teaches private lessons to youth Michael Carvin. Carvin’s tutelage provided a vast and adults, stressing a personal approach to the foundation upon which Waits added influences drums and music. He has been heralded for his from his father, as well as mentor . musicality and creativity by such virtuosos as Ed Thigpen, Max Roach, Andrew Hill, and Stanley Waits’ talent came to the attention of reedman Cowell. True to his personal philosophy of the , who asked Waits to originate necessity to balance tradition and modernism, the percussion chair of his first quintet. Waits Waits collaborates and performs regularly with remained a standing member of Hart’s various musical cohorts, contemporaries, and masters. ensembles, recording three albums and touring Waits is dedicated to exploring his role and nationally and internationally in noted venues, creative path in music. jazz festivals, as well as live television and radio performances. Waits remained a member of DAVID DEMPEWOLF (videographer) has shown Hart's group through 1998. singular projects in various group shows in spaces and venues such as Green Naftali (New Most recently Waits has been a member of York), the Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati, Andrew Hill’s various bands, Jason Moran’s Ohio), Locks Gallery (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), The Bandwagon, and ’s trio. Waits Whitechapel (London), and the Oberhausen and has recorded and toured extensively in Africa, London film festivals. Dempewolf is the co- Europe, Japan, Canada, South America, and the founder and co-director of the Marginal Utility United States. Gallery in Philadelphia and teaches classes in critical theory, sculpture, and video at various art schools throughout the city.

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