EoJ Tip - MONK'estra Big Band with John Beasley Performing "Oska T" Live!

My friend, composer-arranger-pianist John Beasley, is always creating something new and funky! Check out his big band - MONK'estra doing his modern take on Thelonious Monk's Oska T.

MONK'estra, a big modern jazz band, celebrates Monk and other classic compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop and traditional big band instrumentation, along with originals by Beasley. 

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Top 50 Jazz Albums for the Week of 17 January 2011

Self-taught guitarist Russell Malone's "Triple Play" and vocalist Cassandra Wilson's "Silver Pony" held on to the number one and two positions, respectively. 

The Cookers (George Cables - Piano, Billy Harper - Tenor Saxophone, Billy Hart - Drums, Cecil McBee - Bass, Eddie Henderson - Trumpet & Flugelhorn,  Craig Handy - Flute & Alto Saxophone, David Weiss - Trumpet) latest album "Warriors" moved up 23 slots to land in the number 3 spot for the week.

Multi-woodwind instrumentalist Bob Sheppard debuts at number 6 with "Close Your Eyes".

An album that's making a reappearance on the chart is Ray Vega's and Thomas Marriott's "East-West Trumpet Summit" which landed back at number 15.

This list is from JazzWeek.com  - "the definitive Jazz national radio airplay chart—a weekly report of the top fifty+ Jazz recordings played on radio stations across the United States and Canada."

What album has piqued your curiosity? Do you have any of the albums listed? Have a recommendation? Let us know - thank you!

1. RUSSELL MALONE Triple Play (MAXJAZZ)

2. CASSANDRA WILSON Silver Pony (Blue Note)

3. THE COOKERS Warriors (JLP)

4. CYRUS CHESTNUT Journeys (JLP)

5. THE CLAYTON BROTHERS The New Song And Dance (ArtistShare)

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