John Tchicai - In Monk's Mood (2009)

This album presents John Tchicai in a deeply expressive tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk, reinterpreting some of Monk’s most iconic compositions through a modern free jazz and post-bop lens. Recorded with a highly responsive quartet featuring George Colligan on piano and Hammond organ, Steve LaSpina on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums, the session balances structured improvisation with spontaneous exploration. Tchicai’s alto saxophone voice is both lyrical and abstract, often stretching melodic fragments into open-ended harmonic ideas. The inclusion of dual renditions of “Monk’s Mood” highlights the album’s reflective character, while tracks like “Ugly Beauty” and “Round About Midnight” show a respectful yet adventurous approach to Monk’s legacy. The interplay between musicians is fluid, with rhythmic flexibility and harmonic freedom shaping the overall atmosphere of the recording.

Tracklist:
1. Monk's Mood
2. Coming On the Hudson
3. Light Blue
4. Ugly Beauty
5. Round About Midnight
6. Cool Copy
7. Easy Street
8. Ruby My Dear
9. Ask Him Now
10. Monk's Mood