If the world were run by diehard jazz fans, Thelonious Monk’s likeness might have been chiseled into Mt. Rushmore’s granite face. This Sunday, the iconic pianist turns 100, and Panamanian dynamo Danilo Pérez is celebrating. Pérez will be joined by bassist Ben Street and drummer Adam Cruz. Together, they’ll play selections from PanaMonk, the Thelonious tribute album Pérez released in 1996. The record includes masterful memorables like, “Monk’s Mood,” “Reflections” and “Hot Bean Strut.” Pérez doesn’t impose his Latin fusion style upon Monk’s distinctive harmonies; instead the pianist uses Monk’s original vision as a guide to improvise.
Thelonious Monk Tribute
Sun, 6pm, $35+
Café Stritch, San Jose
A Tribute To Thelonious Monk
