The Microscopic Septet
If the Micros have a spiritual beacon, it’s Thelonious Monk. Like the maverick bebop pianist, they persevere, and their expanding core audience thrives on their impeccable arrangements, terse, angular solos, and devil-may-care attitude. But Monk and the Micros have something else in common as well.
Johnston tells a story: “Someone once walked up to Monk and said, ‘You know, Monk, people are laughing at your music.’ Monk replied, ‘Let ’em laugh. People need to laugh a little more.’”
The music of Thelonious Monk has been a part of the Microscopic Septet literally from day one. . . .
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