Fat Monk

by Quentin Walston

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SO WHAT'S WITH THE NAME!? This song is NOT about fat monks, it's a reference to two of my all-time favorite pianists, Thelonious Monk and Fats Waller. If you have listened much to either of these musicians, I hope you hear the Fats Waller in my stride piano during the solo, and the quirky Monk stylings in the melody.

I wrote this song as an homage to Monk's compositional approaches in his early work, such as "Thelonious" and "Sixteen". I even was going to name it "Eight Eight" as a hint to the source material! ;) The quick melody, fast moving chords are all Monk elements.

What I DIDN'T expect was how hard it would be to play! I tend to write challenging music, but this one was really a bear! I practiced it fast, slow, in small chunks and broad sections. I wanted to get so comfortable with the music that I didn't have to think about what came next, but rather whatever I imagined could come out of my fingers effortlessly.

And that's just what happened! This song's arrangement is not pre-thought or planned, but it's IMPROVISED! Much like a set of variations on my melody, I explore the piece in settings of bubbly chords, quick riffs, rolling tempos, and everything in between in what I hope tells a wonderful
musical story.

I really hope you love this piece and share it with your jazz-loving friends and family!

Best,
Quentin Walston

credits

released February 27, 2023
Written and performed by Quentin Walston
Recorded and mixed by Quentin Walston

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Quentin Walston Washington, D.C.

Quentin Walston is an active composer, pianist, and music educator in the Washington D.C. area. He composes most often for piano and his trio, blending memorable melodies, striking rhythms, and adventurous improvisations.

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