Thelonious Monk Birthday Celebration

Our yearly birthday salute to Thelonious Monk features renowned bassist, composer, and bandleader Marcus Shelby and his New Orchestra in an evening inspired by Monk’s legendary 1959 Town Hall concert with arrangements of beloved Monk compositions by Shelby, trumpeter and composer Erik Jekabson, and rising young trumpet phenom Skylar Tang. They are joined by a pair of very special guests — master pianists Gerald Clayton and Benny Green. 

ABOUT THIS CONCERT

Our yearly birthday salute to Thelonious Monk features renowned bassist, composer, and bandleader Marcus Shelby and his New Orchestra in an evening inspired by Monk’s legendary 1959 Town Hall concert, joined by a pair of very special guests — master pianists Gerald Clayton and Benny Green.

Dubbed “San Francisco Holiday” in reference to Monk’s classic 1960 composition, this night includes arrangements of beloved Monk compositions by Shelby, trumpeter and composer Erik Jekabson, and rising young trumpet phenom Skylar Tang, recently a member of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars.

A veteran of the Bay Area and international jazz scenes, Shelby is a consummate artist and a natural choice to ring in what would have been Monk’s 106th birthday with the latest version of his virtuosic orchestra, featuring trumpeter Mike Olmos, trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, and saxophonist Phil Vieux — a longtime Shelby collaborator from Black Note, their acclaimed 1990s combo of young lions.

Possessing an exquisite touch and a sound that combines the dynamic finesse of Ahmad Jamal with the hurtling swing of Oscar Peterson, six-time GRAMMY nominee Gerald Clayton ranks among the very best pianists of his generation.

Very few pianists play with as much joy and finesse as Benny Green, the one-time Berkeley High wunderkind who developed his lyrical and propulsive playing in the star-making bands of singer Betty Carter, drummer Art Blakey, and bassist Ray Brown.