In the afternoon Kris Davis, Jason Moran, and I discussed Geri Allen (who was originally supposed to be part of MONK@100) with Ben Ratliff. It was a good conversation, there is tentative plans for a transcript to appear on DTM.

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In the evening, the duo of Jason Moran and Tyshawn Sorey offered rhapsodic and colorful stream-of-consciousness improvisation. It was an impressive example of avant-garde “channeling the masters.”

Set one

Monk’s Mood
Evidence
Four in One (just a phrase)
‘Round Midnight
Nutty
Skippy
Little Rootie Tootie
Monk’s dream
Thelonious

Set two

Off minor
Friday the 13th
Crepuscule With Nellie
In Walked Bud
I Mean You
Monk’s Mood

Highlights included: Burning “Skippy,” Sorey’s piano playing (!), ruminative “Crepuscule With Nellie.” The audience loved it.

Mr. Sorey’s drum rider is in its own category.

And Sorey also used Aaron Greenwald’s daughter’s toy piano.

Suzanne Despres is invaluable to Duke Performances.

Ben Ratliff.

Gerald Clayton just got here.

Lunch was memorable: Jason, Ethan, Kris, Orrin.