DESCRIPTION:
MONK'estra, a big modern jazz band, celebrates Monk and other classic compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop and traditional big band instrumentation, along with originals by Beasley.

Musicians:
SAX: Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Justo Almario, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson
TRUMPET: Bijon Watson, Willie Murillo, Ray Monterio, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson
TROMBONE: Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Steve Hughes, Ryan Dragon
BASS: Rickey Minor, DRUMS: Gary Novak, KEYBOARDS/MELODICA: John Beasley

Additional musicians: Dwight Trible, Nayanna Holley, Andy Martin, Tony Austin, Jamie Hovorka, Rashawn Ross

CONCERT REVIEWS:
International Review of Music: John Beasley MONK-estra Upstairs at Vitello's
By Don Heckman
Beasley's envelope-stretching arrangements, his extraordinary orchestrating abilities, imaginative soloing from players: a net result of some of the most mesmerizing big band music --individually and collectively-- of recent memory.
http://bit.ly/15rGb6t

EXAMINER.com by Cynthia Lum
Five Stars: John Beasley,Monk'estra Big Band Vitellos Restaurant
Spectacular! The ultra-hip, ultra-cool, ultra-swinging John Beasley's MONK'estra rocked the house at Vitellos.' Supersize figure in the jazz music world, Beasley led a dazzling assemblage of players
http://bit.ly/Vr7hc2