Original band members Paul Jeffrey (left) and Leroy Williams perform "Thelonious Monk's Homecoming" at Duke Sept. 20.
In 1970, Rocky Mount-born Thelonious Monk played his only set of shows in his native state at the storied Frog and Nightgown Jazz Club in Raleigh. Thursday night, a formidable quartet revisited the historic weeklong run. Original band members—sax player Paul Jeffrey and drummer Leroy Williams—joined accomplished young pianist Jason Moran and bassist John Ore. Friends and family of Monk, including Frog owner Peter Ingram, were in the crowd. Jeffrey held forth with deft horn readings; Moran danced through the percussive Monk piano sound; Williams anchored and added color; Ore, a crowd favorite, added graceful bass. Monk was welcomed home with a cake in 1970. Almost four decades later, he was warmly welcomed back again. —Chris Toenes
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