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“The history of jazz piano resonates from a plumb line whence new developments spring. Pianist/composer Carmen Staaf makes a case for the connection between two brilliant and revolutionary pianists, Thelonious Monk and Mary Lou Williams, exposing the common threads on her new recording, Sounding Line.

Staaf grew up unraveling the language of Thelonious Monk. But it was with her discovery of the vast stylistic range of Mary Lou Williams that Staaf began to see connections between the two piano legends, proposing that the two had similar influences and, also, influenced one another.

Monk’s music is a treasure trove of fantastically diverse compositions. Though commonly seen as uniquely idiosyncratic, Monk’s tunes are deliberate in their construction and methodical in their performance. Having been enamored with his works since her introduction to jazz, Staaf feels a deep connection and understanding of these pieces, though she insists that Monk can never truly be known, which is part of the attraction.” - Sunnyside Records, 2025

credits

released September 19, 2025

Carmen Staaf - piano
Ben Goldberg - clarinets (3, 5, & 6)
Ambrose Akinmusire - trumpet (1 & 7)
Darren Johnston - trumpet (5 & 6)
Dillon Vado - vibraphone (4), tambourine (5)
John Santos - bongo (2)
Hamir Atwal - drums (5 & 6)