Jazz Drummer T.S. Monk, Son of Jazz Great Thelonious Monk, Conducts Dalton Jazz Workshop
Musician T.S. Monk, son of Thelonious Monk, presented a clinic to high school and middle school jazz students on Friday, November 3. The jazz world is celebrating the centennial of Thelonius Monk’s birth. Mr. Monk interacted and played drums with Dalton students as they performed his father’s music.
As part of the Middle and High School jazz curriculum, each Dalton jazz group is preparing a piece by this major architect of modern jazz. Students are dissecting Monk's works as they examine the components of his music through ensemble playing and improvisation. High school students are building from these components to compose original compositions, which they will perform at their concert on December 19 at 7:00 PM in the Martin Theater.
An accomplished musician in his own right, T. S. Monk created the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at UCLA and the annual Thelonius Monk Solo Competition, held at Kennedy Center. His sextet tours both nationally and internationally.
He is currently involved with cultural organizations around the world to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Father of Modern Jazz.
Story by Middle and High School Music teacher Glenn Makos Some photographs by Music Department Chair Chris Landriau