RESISTANCE CINEMA with ACTION FOR JUSTICE present
“THELONIOUS MONK; American Composer” Toby Bryon/Multiprises in association with Taurus Films, Matthew Seig Director, Written by Quincy Troupe, c 1993, 60 minutes
WHEN: Sunday June 29th 1:15pm
WHERE: Community Church of NY: Gallery Room 28 E. 35th st. @park ave
ADMISSION: Free, open to the public
We kick off our summer jazz film series by saluting the great pianist/composer Thelonious Monk for our feature
film. One of the jazz world’s most unique stylists, Monk came to symbolize a pure uncompromising brand of individualism that evoked the admiration of musicians of all genres and all camps. Everybody loved Monk and his compositions live on today.
With unforgettable images, rare film of Monk at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, first time ever seen footage of Monk in America, in Europe and Japan, the film is an intimate portrait of a genius in full force. We hear commentary from his contemporaries Barry Harris, Billy Taylor, Randy Weston, and Ben Riley. Producer Orrin Keepnews of Riverside records describes working with Monk through the ups and downs of his career.
In his lifetime Thelonious Monk acquired the aura of the “mysterious eccentric artist” who was remote and incomprehensible to the public. Here, his son Thelonious Jr. and
sister Marion White present Monk the father and the warm, loving, devoted family man.
In addition to our feature film on Thelonious Monk we will also show clips from live concerts of other great jazz artists.