Arnie Somogyi's "Jump Monk" Quintet
“"Somogyi....a bassist who doesn’t mark time but makes it sing … add the searing alto of Tony Kofi, with his flame-thrower tone and vehement attack, and you have music of real consequence"”
Jazzwise
One of the country’s leading bass players, Arnie Somogyi is a much sought after musician, composer and bandleader. He’s performed and recorded with a wide variety of high profile artists, from the likes of Tom Jones, Amy Winehouse and Charlie Watts to renowned jazz artists including John Dankworth, Stan Tracey, James Moody, Clare Martin, Art Farmer and the New York-based Mingus Big Band. He has appeared on over 40 albums, numerous film soundtracks and in his non-musical life has also presented three BBC Radio 4 ‘road-movie-for-radio’ documentaries about Eastern Europe. He works frequently at Ronnie Scott’s as a member of the club's house band, the “Ronnie Scott’s All-Stars” and if all that wasn't enough he is also a visiting professor at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music. Tonight Arnie is bringing his exciting "Jump Monk" project to the Club, featuring an immensely talented and experienced, multi-award-winning line up of Tony Kofi-sax, Malcolm Earl-Smith-trombone, Matyas Gayer-piano and Clark Tracey-drums. The band is dedicated to performing the music of two of the greatest jazz composers and musicians, pianist Thelonious Monk and bass player Charles Mingus, but as Arnie says it is "a repertoire rather than a tribute band". Originally formed to play the music of Charles Mingus, the programme has now been extended to encompass music from the legendary pianist Thelonious Monk as well. Named after Mingus's musical tribute to Monk, "Jump Monk", the quintet embodies the freedom of interpretation and drive that characterises the music of two of the most important and colourful figures in jazz. Performing a mix of lesser-known compositions along with familiar favourites such as "Round Midnight", "Fables of Faubus" and "Better Get Hit in Your Soul" this is a very special band playing very special music.
"...a set of soaring, beautifully realised interpretations" justlikejazz; "Somogyi....a bassist who doesn’t mark time but makes it sing ... add the searing alto of Tony Kofi, with his flame-thrower tone and vehement attack, and you have music of real consequence" Jazzwise