* En anglais uniquement
On the very day that
Thelonious Monk died (February 17, 1982), the
Monk tribute group
Sphere -- comprised of
Monk's longtime tenor saxophonist
Charlie Rouse, pianist
Kenny Barron, bassist
Buster Williams, and
Monk's former drummer
Ben Riley -- recorded an album of
Monk tunes. Although
Sphere started out as a tribute band, it also performed originals and jazz standards during its existence. The quartet recorded for Elektra Musician, Red, and Verve (including a set of
Charlie Parker tunes) before disbanding after
Rouse's death on November 30, 1988.
Sphere re-formed in 1998, with saxophonist
Gary Bartz assuming
Rouse's place; that year they issued their self-titled comeback LP. ~ Scott Yanow