Club Calendar

Thelonious Monk once said that a genius is one most like themselves. The inimitable pianist and composer changed the face of modern music through pioneering the bebop era, mentoring emerging talents such as Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane and achieving an altogether unique and unmatched standard of musical ability. The media of the time often struggled to keep up with Monk’s winding melodies and singular individuality. His sound and approach to music were, for want of better words, as Monk as Monk could be.

Ewan Johnston returns to The Scottish Arts Club to celebrate the life and music of MØNK, joined by an incredible band.

On tenor saxophone is Em Craig, who recently released their remarkable debut album “on learning to be a fish” featuring musicians from across the UK through the lens of Cardiff. Em returns to Edinburgh to share their inspiring playing on home turf.

Ali Watson, one of the busiest bass players in the country, brings his sensitive and emotive approach to the music. Alongside collaborations with a multitude of artists, Ali leads his own band, who released the album Terrarium last year.

And then there’s the incomparable Tom Bancroft on drums, a Scottish jazz stalwart who is constantly innovating, digging and inspiring, masterminding the Edinburgh based gig series ‘Playtime’ and having been heralded by Sun Ra himself as one to watch, alongside his twin brother, Phil.

Completing the line-up at the piano is Ewan Johnston. Ewan has worked extensively across the Scottish music scene running his own projects, including MODERNISTIC, Ewan Johnston Trio, Making Nature and Bletherin’, as well as collaborations with artists and groups such as Tao, Laura Osa, GAIA and Terra Kin.

Monk’s music is notoriously difficult to inhabit. His compositions possess such a powerful identity that for someone to play his music and breathe requires a profound understanding of the material. This band has been chosen for precisely that reason.

Bring your appetite for musical personality, improvisation and the stellar compositions of Thelonious Monk.