Clarence Penn and Penn Station 4/29/16 Firehouse 12

Billed as an evening of modern interpretations of Thelonious Monk music, CP and Penn Station were formidable re-workers. Drummer and leader CP, Manuel Valera on piano, Chad Lefkowicz-Brown on sax, and a newcomer on standup bass plowed through some Monk classics. Set list: Thelonious, Hackensack, In Walked Bud, Rhythm-naning, Ruby My Dear (with female vocalist), Evidence, and closed the set with Teo. CP gave some insights on Monk, he favored original composition over standards and improv solos were grounded in the song's melody, both were uncommon in jazz at the time. The song "In Walked Bud" was apparently a gift from Monk to the legendary pianist Bud Powell. Powell loved watching Monk play, and on a club date in Philadelphia, local police broke up the gig (which must be code for beating black people) , Powell stepped in to thwart the beating of Monk, and was rewarded with an extra beating of his own which left him unable to play and a traumatic brain injury. CP's rendition of the song was somber and fitting in light of the backstory. A drum-centered take on Monk makes total sense, Monk's crazy use of time signatures prove vital to the drummer. Valera was excellent as a modern day Thelonious.