Matt King – piano & melodica
Anton Denner – reeds
Itaiguara Brandão – bass
Mauricio Zottarelli – drums

The extraordinary music from Matt King’s latest CD release, “Monk In Brazil”, will be featured in this show. Matt’s concept for the recording was to take the iconic, perennially modern works of the late jazz giant Thelonious Monk and set them to the pulsating, irresistible rhythms of Brazil. The results are jaw-dropping, ear-expanding, and soul-warming. Over the course of the album’s 12 tracks, Matt utilized no less than 8 different Brazilian rhythmic styles, creating a fresh and seductive alchemy…and musical luminaries from both American and Brazilian jazz circles are raving about it:

Rufus Reid: “A brilliant triumph. Matt’s playing is always stellar, sparkling with clarity and creative ideas. If you love Monk and Brazilian music, get ready to party!”

Jovino Santos Neto: “Hermeto Pascoal said that Monk was the ‘most Brazilian of all jazz composers’. Matt has proved that point, letting the wings of this music flutter over many different Brazilian grooves…the creative arrangements enhance Monk’s music without harming its powerful DNA.”

Dave Stryker: “The great pianist Matt King has shown how fresh Monk’s music still is with his creative Brazilian arrangements…he has definitely turned a Brilliant Corner with this project.”

Claudio Roditi: “Virtuoso pianist Matt King had this brilliant idea, and the result is really hip!”

Matt is proud to have a truly world-class band, comprised of his fellow artists from the CD, joining him for this show: The unique multi-reed player Anton Denner, a longtime fixture on NYC’s jazz scene; the amazing Rio-born bassist Itaiguara Brandão; and one of the world’s greatest Brazilian drummers, Mauricio Zottarelli (and maybe some surprise guests as well). Come join them, and…as Rufus Reid said… “Get ready to party!”