Birmingham to host 9-day ‘Monkathon’
The city’s Conservatoire will celebrate Thelonious Monk’s centenary this June
A 9-day festival encompassing the entire output of Thelonious Monk will take place in Birmingham between 12-20 June to celebrate the centenary of the master jazz musician (he would have turned 100 on 10 October 2017).
Organised by Birmingham Conservatoire’s Jazz Department, their ‘Monkathon’ will see all 70 of his compositions performed at venues across the city by groups, soloists and guest artists from the UK and abroad. Several visiting students will take part from universities in Italy and France, while four local schools will get involved as part of an outreach programme.
Dr Hans Koller, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, says, “Thelonious Monk is one of the 20th century giants of music, not just of jazz. His art transcends boundaries of time, style and aesthetics. Monk at 100 is a wonderful excuse to celebrate his status as an iconic figure of inspiration to us all. The Birmingham Monkathon brings together students, alumni and staff at BCU, with leading international Monk-inspired performers including Steve Cardenas from New York, Liam Noble from the UK, and Professor François Théberge from Paris Conservatoire, as well as the eminent Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, for this grand celebration.”
Details and tickets for the events can be foundhere.