Creating the contemporary out of the traditionnal

He's the triple-crown winner of the 59th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll (Jazz Artist of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year, Pianist of the Year!) and he undoubtetly  is, alonside Esperanza Spalding, leading the next jazz generation, fitting in new styles and influences while paying hommage  to jazz history. Or, like DownBeat defined it: "Jason Moran is creating the contemporary out of the traditionnal".

But Jason Moran doesn't want to be fenced solely into the jazz-drawer. His music is continuously changing and evolving. Check out his discography and you'll see want is meant.

On March 5th, Jason Moran will be at the Philharmonie with a project he launched in 2009, the year of the 50th anniversary of the legendary Town Hall concert of Thelonius Monk - the first concert the Monk performed his work with an orchestra.

But as always, Moran doesn't juste re-create the 1959 concert, but documents the making of Monk's performance. Videos, pictures and excerpts of audio tapes with the voice of the big T.M. will accompagny the concert goers on a long journey, giving a peek into Monk's life and music.

I would say, don't miss this spectacular trip and don't miss the opportunity to listen to two great and innovative jazz pianists!

Didier

More about the project:

DownBeat, August 2011 Edition : http://bit.ly/Al49QI

NYMag article on the Monk project : http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/54627/