Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this thing called the “Monk It Club.” Sounds kinda weird, right? But it’s actually pretty cool. Basically, I got this idea after stumbling upon some old recordings of a jazz dude named Thelonious Monk. He had these gigs at a place called the “It Club” back in the ’60s. I thought, “Why not try to recreate that vibe, but with a modern twist?”
So, I started digging into Monk’s music, especially those recordings from the It Club. Man, that stuff is wild! It’s all over the place, but in a good way. I spent hours just listening, trying to get a feel for his style, you know? I even tried to learn a few of his tunes on my keyboard, but let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Those chords are crazy!
My Process
- First, I gathered all the Monk recordings I could find, especially the ones from the It Club.
- Then, I just listened. Like, really listened. I tried to understand what made his music so unique.
- Next, I started experimenting with some of his ideas on my own. I tried to write some music that was inspired by Monk, but also had my own flavor.
- After that, I decided to get some friends involved. I figured it would be more fun to jam with other people, and it would also help me get a better sense of that live club atmosphere.
- Finally, I started recording our sessions. I wanted to document the whole process, from the early rehearsals to the final performances. I am really not good at playing, but I insist on doing it every day.
It’s been a real journey, let me tell you. There were times when I felt like I was in way over my head. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things started to come together. We had some really great jams, and I even managed to write a few songs that I’m actually proud of.
The best part was getting together with my friends and just playing. We had a blast trying to channel that old-school jazz energy. We even started calling ourselves the “Monk It Club” as a joke, but then it kinda stuck.
I’m not sure where this whole thing is going, but I’m having a lot of fun with it. It’s a great way to learn about music, meet new people, and just generally have a good time. Plus, it’s a nice tribute to Thelonious Monk, who was a true original. If you’re into jazz, or just looking for something different to do, I highly recommend giving it a try. Who knows, you might even start your own “Monk It Club”!
