‘Round Midnight – 2006
Charles Tolliver Big Band
A dramatic version of the Monk classic
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Charles Tolliver, who was born in 1942, was one of the top jazz trumpeters to emerge during the second half of the 1960s and made a strong impact in the 1970s with his playing and co-leadership (along with pianist Stanley Cowell) of the Strata East label.
After the late 1970s, Tolliver had a low profile for decades with very few recordings (other than in the late 1980s) but fortunately survived and made a comeback starting around 2005.
His big band recorded an excellent album in 2006, around the time of this filmed version of Thelonious Monk’s “’Round Midnight.”
Tolliver’s arrangement for his orchestra is rather dramatic with the big band sounding powerful, ferocious and exciting.
The leader is in the spotlight throughout, playing trumpet during both ballad and uptempo sections and colorfully conducting his ensemble throughout the fresh version of Monk’s most famous song.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald