John Beasley's MONK'estra

John Beasley is an American jazz pianist who has recorded and performed with Mile Davis, Steely Dan, Chaka Khan, James Brown, Spice Girls, Dianne Reeves, Sérgio Mendes, Freddie Hubbard, John Patitucci, Queen Latifah, Lee Ritenour, Mike Stern and Ivan Lins. John Beasley also leads a smashing big band project MONK'estra. The feel and sound of MONK'estra captures the spirit of Thelonious Monk's singular style with its off-beat melodies, humor, strange beauty and unbounded swing in fresh arrangement flavored with hints of New Orleans, Hip-Hop, Afro-Cuban, contemporary and atmospheric rhythms and colors. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for Jazz at the White House, and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Positootly! and Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for MONK'estra, Volume 1 and MONK'estra Volume 2.