Voice Of Monk compilation video
'A note can be small as a pin or as big as the world, it depends on your imagination' (Thelonious Monk)
The Voice of Monk
Country: The Netherlands
Genre: jazz/free/song/spoken word
Website: www.voiceofmonk.com
'The Voice of Monk: a thrilling collaboration of 5 of the finest international artists in search of frictions between conventions and freedom. Using songs, spoken word, contemporary music, instant composing, various musical styles such as rock and minimal music and Monk's idiosyncratic musical universe they are bound to create an immersive theatrical musical crossover.
Self-composed music and self-written lyrics are central in this project.
Pepijn van der Sande (vocals), Guillermo Celano (guitar), Iman Spaargaren (tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet), Stijn de Wit (double bass) and Jurjen Bakker (drums) are both looking for diverse and free-spirited music. The music of Monk is a perfect starting point. The Voice of Monk form a strong creative unit that goes far beyond the usual concept of singer plus backing band. They search for the essence of improvised music.
The group is inspired not only by Monk but also looks into other (Dutch) examples like the works of Misha Mengelberg and the ICP Orchestra or compositions by reed player Michael Moore. The way Corrie van Binsbergen constructs her music along the story-telling of Toon Tellegen, or the works of Beat poets group The Last Poets give many ideas.