Keyboardist/composer/arranger John Beasley was born into a musical family, first coming to prominence as part of the last bands of Miles Davis, then moving on to a TV and musical career that included composing and arranging for American Idol, Queen Latifah, Carly Simon and many others. His own 2009 Positootly album even received a Grammy nomination. More recently Beasley created the MONK'estra, a big band dedicated to the music of jazz icon Thelonious Monk. Monk's often quirky compositions are deftly reworked by Beasley for an ensemble featuring a mix of L.A. veterans and some of the area's best young players, including Danny Janklow, Gabriel Johnson and Ryan Dragon. Tonight marks the MONK'estra's second of three consecutive Wednesdays at the Baked Potato.

Wed., March 26, 9:30 & 11:30 p.m.; Wed., April 2, 9:30 & 11:30 p.m.; Wed., April 9, 9:30 & 11:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 04/09/14)

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