FEBRUARY 28

             THELONIOUS MONK
                  At Town Hall


                     Recording Date:
                         February 28, 1959


                     Personnel:
                         Donald Byrd       TP
                         Eddie Bert         TB
                         Bob Northern      FRH
                         Jay McAllister     TU
                         Phil Woods         AS
                         Charlie Rouse      TS
                         Pepper Adams     VB
                         Thelonious Monk  P
                         Sam Jones           B
                         Art Taylor            D


                      LINK

Review by Scott Yanow

Pianist Thelonious Monk's appearance with a tentet at a 1959 Town Hall concert was a major success. With Hal Overton contributing arrangements of Monk's tunes (including a remarkable transcription of Monk's original piano solo on "Little Rootie Tootie") and solos provided by trumpeter Donald Byrd, trombonist Eddie Bert, altoist Phil Woods, Charlie Rouse on tenor, and baritonist Pepper Adams, this date was a real standout. The program (plus three additional numbers) has also been included in Monk's huge Riverside box set but, for more budget-minded consumers, this CD is a must. There would only be one other recorded occasion (Monk's 1963 Philharmonic Hall concert) when the unique pianist was as successfully featured with a larger ensemble.