Straight No Chaser – 2010
Chick Corea Freedom Band
An explosive version of the Monk blues
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In 2010, Chick Corea went on tour with a superb all-star band filled with musicians who loved to jam.
The pianist is joined on this rollicking performance of Thelonious Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” by trumpeter Roy Hargrove, altoist Kenny Garrett, bassist Christian McBride, and the ageless drummer Roy Haynes.
Corea sounds a bit like Monk on the melody statement, Hargrove and Garrett make passionate statements, and then the pianist plays a typically brilliant solo.
After McBride’s spot, the performance climaxes with a heated tradeoff by Hargrove and Garrett that really excites the already-enthusiastic audience.
-Scott Yanow
