Bobby Broom Plays for Monk

#5 ? Bobby Broom Plays For Monk (Origin). Now that Bobby Broom is back on the road with Sonny Rollins (who first tried to hire him when the guitarist was still in his teens), the rest of the world has the chance to catch up on what Chicagoans have known since the 80s: Broom has one of the few truly recognizable styles among modern guitarists, and one of the most satisfying solo concepts in mainstream jazz. In his improvising, Broom has a remarkable ability to tap into blues, pop, and funk, but still avoid turning those references into a pap for his audience. So even as he blurts a phrase guaranteed to catch the ear, he turns it to the pursuit of a purer musical truth; his solos go steadily deeper, even as he takes the scenic route. In the last decade, Broom used this sensibility to parlay rock-and-roll hits of the 60s into "new standards" for the jazz repertoire. On this album, he's upped the ante by tackling the songs of Thelonious Monk without dropping a beat. Because Monk's compositions demand a careful respect for their original melodies even more than their underlying harmonies, they pose a significant challenge for any improviser who wants to remain true to the music and yet place his own stamp on the performances. Future contestants would do well to pay attention to the mastery with which Broom walks that tightrope, ably supported by bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins.