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A Journey into the Silence of Thelonious Monk

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  • MONK MISTERIOSO

    a journey into the silence of Thelonious Monk

    Perhaps the most enigmatic talent to have emerged from the maelstrom of bebop in the 1940s, Thelonious Monk continues to exert a powerful influence on the jazz world, as pianist, composer and as an individual force of nature, who had the courage to go against the racism of his era. In the last seven years of his life, Monk stopped talking and playing, totally isolating himself from the world.

     

    Marking the legacy of Thelonious Monk following the centenary of his birth in 2017 through a moving text by prominent Italian writer Stefano Benni, Theatralia's production explores the great pianist in this provocative jazz show directed by Filomena Campus. With music arrangements by Rowland Sutherland and video design by SDNA.

    Award-winning vocalist Cleveland Watkiss and pianist Pat Thomas embody the great jazz pianist. They are joined by narrator and vocalist Filomena Campus, Rowland Sutherland (flute), Orphy Robinson (vibes), and Dudley Phillips (double bass). At the EFG London Jazz Festival, the all-star band was joined by Mark Mondesir (drums).

  • News & Updates

    New Year's Honours

    Cleveland Watkiss receives MBE for his services to music

    JazzFM

    Filomena Campus spoke to JazzFM's Chris Philips

    Must-see-gigs

    Monk Misterioso selected by

    The Guardian as must see gig at this year's London Jazz Festival

    The Guardian feature

    The demons and obsessions of jazz genius Thelonious Monk

    - by Candace Allen

    Today

    Monk discussed in

    BBC Radio 4's Today on 9 November

    - listen back (scroll to 01:42:27)

    BBC Radio Essex

    Filomena and Cleveland spoke to Tony Fisher

    Jazz in Europe preview

    Expect the Unexpected!

    Culture&

    Thanks to all who came to the launch event at the British Library

  • Line-up

    All Star Misterioso Band

    Cleveland

    Watkiss

    vocalist & actor

    Cleveland Watkiss is a British vocalist, actor and composer. Winner of Parliamentary Jazz Awards for Best Vocalist of the Year 2017 and MOBO Awards nominee 2017 as Best Jazz Act and winner of Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards and the London Jazz Awards in 2010.

     

    'Best male jazz singer in Britain'

    Evening Standard

     

    'A jazz legend' 

    Telegraph

     

    Filomena

    Campus

    narrator & vocalist

    London based jazz vocalist and lyricist Filomena Campus is a theatre director and lecturer as well. Her diverse influences range from modern literature and art to the culture of her native Sardinia.

     

    “her scatting is literally something else, [...] a modernist in her approach”

    Jazz in Europe

     

    Pat

    Thomas

    on piano

    Black Top's Pat Thomas has an utterly unique style - embracing improvisation, jazz and new music. He has played with Derek Bailey in Company Week (1990/91) and in the trio AND (with Noble) – with Tony Oxley’s Quartet and Celebration Orchestra and in Duo with Lol Coxhill.

     

    Rowland

    Sutherland (MD)

    on flute

     

    "Flautist Rowland Sutherland has a superb sound and technique, and is undoubtedly one of the very best flautists on the British scene."

    Time Out

    Orphy

    Robinson

    on vibes

    One of the leading marimba players, vibraphone players, multi-instrumentalist, composers and musical directors. He has written for Theatre, Television, Opera, provided music scores for the 2012 London Olympics. Together with Pat Thomas he forms Black Top.

     

    "Vibes player Orphy Robinson is a national treasure." - Telegraph

     

    Dudley

    Phillips

    on double bass

    Playing both double and electric bass, Dudley Phillips is a creative musician working in the field of contemporary songwriting, jazz, folk and world music. He has contributed to a large body of recordings, toured internationally and wrote album tracks for artists Monica Vasconcelos, Perfect Houseplants and Filomena Campus.

    Mark

    Mondesir

    on drums

    Jazz drummer Mark Mondesir is one of UK's finest. Comfortable in any genre, from jazz to rock to funk to fusion, he has worked with the likes of Courtney Pine, John McLaughlin and Julian Joseph.

  • Gallery

    Production photos by Carl Hyde

    Photo by Carl Hyde
    Monk Misterioso. Photo by Cark Hyde
    Monk Misterioso. Photo by Carl Hyde
  • Video

    Get a taste of the production

  • Press

     

     

    "With a mixture of theatrical panache and sheer talent, they all produced a show that raised the bar. The beauty and innovation of the production filled every note and words spoken and sung on the night.

    Brilliant!" - Erminia Yardley

    Monk Misterioso in top 25 gigs recommended by JazzFM

    "A must see gig"

    ANSA

    Campus honours Monk centenary. Triumph at the EFG London Jazz Festival

     

    "Una compagine che doveva essere - ed e' stata - garanzia di successo e applausi​"

    Spellbinding Monk homage

    A powerful and moving performance, with Monk’s matchless music and superb musicians to lead you through.

    The story of the eccentric pianist who shrugged off prejudice to become a jazz icon is ripe for dramatisation... A crime to miss it

  • London One Radio

    Listen to the show dedicated to Monk Misterioso

  • Endorsements

    Candace Allen:

    "Upon the bones of Stefano Benni’s clever text, in MONK Misterioso Filomena Campus and her supremely gifted musicians have conjured a glorious incarnation of The Man and his mastery. Original, perceptive, and as steeped in love and music as Thelonious was himself. What a privilege to be involved in its wonder in the most minor way!"

    Candace Allen

    Margaret Busby:

    "I found MONK Misterioso absolutely amazing on so many levels. Starting with the phenomenal and complicated talent of Monk himself, the show built up such a powerful atmosphere that made me long to see it again. Setting aside the fact that I love Monk's music anyway, as a theatrical performance MM really delivered, thanks to every single member of the ensemble. Well done, Theatralia, and much kudos to everyone involved - Filomena, Cleveland, Orphy, Pat, Rowland, Mark, Dudley...have I left anyone out? Stefano Benni, too! And enduring thanks to the enigmatic Mr. Monk, who so profoundly said: "Music is like silence, but with more noise..."

    Margaret Busby

  • Recent tour dates & events

    2017 UK tour

    Colchester Arts Centre

     

    Sunday 5 November

    7pm doors

    Portsmouth Guildhall

     

    Thursday 16 November

    7pm (doors)

    The Stables Milton Keynes

     

    Sunday 12 November

    8pm

    Kings Place, EFG London Jazz Festival

    Saturday 18 November

    8pm

  • EFG London Jazz Festival

    Saturday 18 November at Kings Place

    Serious Sing workshop

    12:00pm | Hall Two

     

    EFG London Jazz Festival hosts a vocal workshop with Filomena Campus and Cleveland Watkiss starting from Monk's tunes.

     

    more info

    Monk's Moods

    6:30pm | Hall Two

     

    Panel discussion about the relationship between jazz musicians and mental health with Chris Philips (JazzFM), Emma Mamo (Mind), Errol Francis (Culture&), Margaret Busby and Kevin le Gendre.

    more info

    Monk Misterioso

    8:00pm | Hall Two

     

    Performance of Monk Misterioso featuring the All Star Misterioso Band and special guests Mark Mondesir (drums) and Jean Toussaint (sax).

     

    more info

    JazzFM DJ-night

    9:30pm | Foyer

     

    JazzFM's Chris Philips and Ruth Fisher host a DJ-night inspired by Monk's music.

     

     

  • Extra Events

    British Library, London

    Wednesday 11 October

    7:30pm

     

    Launch event by Culture& with Errol Francis and Candace Allen. Live music by Peter Edwards and Filomena Campus.

     

    Regent Street Cinema London

    14 November

    7:30pm

     

    Screening of documentary about Fabrizio De André by CinemaItaliaUK. With live music by Marta Capponi and Cleveland Watkiss.

     

  • Partners

    Monk Misterioso receives the support of the following partners

  • Production team

    Tour 2017 by Theatralia

    Theatralia@theatralia.co.uk

    Text written by Stefano Benni

    Translation, adaptation and direction Filomena Campus

    Producer Natalie Richardson

    Tour manager Janet Waugh

    Video Design by SDNA

    Music director Rowland Sutherland

    Graphic Design Soulfish

    Sound Design BJ Muller

    Light Design Kristina Hjelm

    Press office Nicky Thomas Media

     

Copyright 2017

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