Straight No Chaser – 2020
John McLaughlin
The masterful guitarist plays a Thelonious Monk blues
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In his career, guitarist John McLaughlin became famous for his work in fusion settings, most notably with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, but he has also had a long-time love for straight ahead jazz.
On this clip from 2020, McLaughin first makes a pitch for contributing money to India to help in its fight against COVID.
He then performs Thelonious Monk’s straight ahead blues “Straight No Chaser” with a quartet comprised of pianist Roger Rossignol, bassist Kiki Aubrlette, and drummer Nicolas Viccaro.
Utilizing a rockish sound, McLaughlin shows that he can play boppish lines while retaining his own musical personality.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald