EDUCATION | EXHIBITIONS: ONE LP@DOCUMENTING JAZZ_2020: Tony Kofi: Musician

{quote}Brilliant Corners' by Thelonious Monk. Why this album is so special for me is because when I first heard it - it sounded all wrong but it pricked my conscience you know.The actual tune 'Brilliant Corners' - I didn't understand it because it wasn't even and symmetrical like most standards are - or most compositions are. Very quirky and the strongest link all his compositions was the melodies you know; the strong sense of melody and time - and the feel - and dissonance. So, that was the album for me and that really got me into jazz and made me.... kind of like think.... this is what I want to be when I grow up.{quote}WE So, it's through the intrigue of the album almost?TK Yes yes - absolute intrigue. 100% total intrigue. When I first heard it I didn't like it but then when I investigated I realised that it challenged me and so I went for that challenge and start learning about Monk and studying Monk. So it was total intrigue, you know sometimes the thing that intrigues you most is the thing that grabs you, you know, the most - so Brilliant Corners is one.{quote}Tony Kofi: The Spa, Scarborough, 26th September 2015Theloniuos Monk: Brilliant Corners released 1957Tony Kofi
Tony Kofi: Musician, Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners

 

"Brilliant Corners' by Thelonious Monk.  

Why this album is so special for me is because when I first heard it - it sounded all wrong but it pricked my conscience you know. 

The actual tune 'Brilliant Corners' - I didn't understand it because it wasn't even and symmetrical like most standards are - or most compositions are.  

Very quirky and the strongest link all his compositions was the melodies you know; the strong sense of melody and time - and the feel - and dissonance.  

So, that was the album for me and that really got me into jazz and made me.... kind of like think.... this is what I want to be when I grow up." 

WE So, it's through the intrigue of the album almost? 

TK Yes yes - absolute intrigue. 100% total intrigue. When I first heard it I didn't like it but then when I investigated I realised that it challenged me and so I went for that challenge and start learning about Monk and studying Monk. So it was total intrigue, you know sometimes the thing that intrigues you most is the thing that grabs you, you know, the most - so Brilliant Corners is one." 

 

Tony Kofi: The Spa, Scarborough, 26th September 2015 

Theloniuos Monk: Brilliant Corners released 1957 

Tony Kofi