Bobby Broom Plays for Monk

On Bobby Broom Plays for Monk, Sonny Rollins veteran strummer Bobby Broom trots out an enjoyable collection of well-known Monk pieces. Monk's instrumental style was so idiosyncratic that few have dared follow him down that particular path so his influence has tended to be greater as a composer. Of course, he was also idiosyncratic as a composer too, but this is on of his strengths--no two Monk tunes sound alike. This makes it relatively easy to construct an entire program of Monk pieces without danger of boredom or redundancy and that's what Mr. Broom has done here with the addition of "Lulu" and "Smoke"--two pieces associated with Monk. Broom plays in an authoritative post-Bop guitar style though, these days, that particular was of playing increasingly occupies the conservative end of the Jazz spectrum. In Broom's hands though, this is far from a negative as he has both command of the style and his instrument. He plays a hard swinging guitar and despite the intimate confines of the guitar trio format, he keeps things moving along and interesting. His trio-mates, Messrs. Carroll and Watkins have evidently played a lot with Broom and it shows--this is a the archetype of a tight guitar trio. I particularly enjoyed "Evidence"--one of my favorite Monk tunes and one seemingly capable of multiple interpretations--as well as "Rhythm-a-ning" which simmers nicely throughout and "Ruby" which shows off Broom's well developed chordal ballad style. Although this CD doesn't reinvent jazz, or even really develop new facets of Monk's tunes, it's still and enjoyable listen by force of Bobby Broom and his trio's spirited playing. Recommended.