Focusing on the music and influence of jazz iconoclast, Thelonius Monk, veteran jazz composer & instrumentalists, Phillip Johnston & Peter Dasent have teamed up to present 'Playing ith Monk'. This jazz duo of piano and saxophone performs a unique repertoire drawn from iconic compositions of Monk, both the well-known and the obscure, as well as original tunes, both new and old, from the two composers’ catalogues that are inspired or influenced by Monk’s work. The music is swinging, bluesy and spiky, as Monk would have liked it - be sure to be at the Blue Mountains' debut of this duo's latest duo.
'PLAYING WITH MONK' w/ PHILLIP JOHNSTON & PETER DASENT // Saturday, 11 June 2022 // Doors 6:00 pm // Tickets: $94.50 ea incl. 2-Course Meal // Location: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, Katoomba. 186-188 Katoomba St, Katoomba.
Ticket price includes a 2-course meal // This is a seated performance // BYO alcohol // COVID-Safe Event. We recommend that you visit our good friends at Leura Cellars en route to GalleryONE88, who provide an exquisite selection of wines, beer, and spirits, including locally brewed beers from 'Mountain Culture' and ciders from 'Hillbilly'.
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/ PLAYING WITH MONK /
'Playing With Monk' is a jazz duo of piano and saxophone, focused on the music and influence of jazz iconoclast Thelonious Monk. This new project for the two veteran composer/instrumentalists consists of a unique repertoire drawn from the iconic compositions of Thelonious Monk, both the well-known and the obscure, as well as original tunes both new and old from the two composers’ catalogues that are inspired/influenced by Monk’s work. The music is swinging, bluesy and spiky, as Monk would have liked it.
You may know New Zealand émigré Peter Dasent from his film music compositions (including Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures and Meet The Feebles), his long tenure as music director/on-screen pianist for ABC’s long-running ‘Play School’, his Eastside radio show ‘One Size Fits All’, or his recordings of the music of Nino Rota or with his longstanding band The Umbrellas. https://www.peterdasent.com
You may know native New Yorker Phillip Johnston from his film scoring career (Paul Mazursky’s Faithful, Henry Bean’s Noise, Philip Haas’s The Music of Chance), his numerous festival appearances (Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne Festival, MONA FOMA, Sydney Vivid), his silent film scores, his 20 recordings as a leader, or his local bands The Coolerators, The Greasy Chicken Orchestra or SNAP Sax Quartet. https://phillipjohnston.com/
They are co-leaders of the early jazz repertory band The Greasy Chicken Orchestra, who are in their 7th year of regular performances at Sydney’s Foundry 616. Johnston’s New York band The Microscopic Septet’s 2010 recording Friday The 13th: The Micros Play Monk (Cuneiform) was given 4 stars, made an Editor’s Pick and called ‘a love letter to Monk’ by Downbeat Magazine.
This new duo is the latest in a long history of collaboration between Dasent and Johnston on new and inventive projects that combine originality and a deep love of the breadth of jazz history.
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/ THE EXPERIENCE /
Whilst many events promise a 'speakeasy' experience, no other venue in the Blue Mountains does it quite like 'Pigeon Lane', Gallery ONE88's live music quarter. Why you ask? Well, you won't find the entrance to this space on Katoomba's main drag . . . you need to take a stroll down Katoomba's 'Art Street', aka Beverly Place, and with so much visual candy on display, you won't quite know where you're going. Walking past the ever-changing tapestry of street art, rated as one of the 'Top 10 Things to Do in Katoomba' according to TripAdvisor, you need to find a green door at the rear of the gallery. Don't expect a big neon sign or a grand entryway though - it helps to bring someone who has been here before and keep your eyes peeled. Once you cross the threshold, you will pass through a peculiar ticketing booth, a quirky corner bar (although the venue doesn't yet have a liquor licence - so it's BYO) and enter Pigeon Lane proper.
Just like the eclectic underground venues of Paris or New York, this space has antique chandeliers, timber floors and exposed brick, a small stage framed with red velvet curtains, individual tables, and plenty of artwork and vintage curiosities everywhere to pique your roving interest. The acoustics in this space are divine and the vibe casual, which is the perfect storm for bringing out engaging and emotive performances out of every musician that graces this stage. With the likes of Steve Kilbey (The Church), Jak Housden (The Whitlams), Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, Lloyd Swanton (The Necks), Sandy Evans (10 Part Invention), Paul Cutlan, Gary Daley, Trish Delaney-Brown (The Idea of North), George Washingmachine, James Greening and many more having played in this room, the quality of music is second to none. You won't want to miss a show here as there aren't many rooms like this.
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/ COVID-19 CONTINGENCIES /
Pigeon Lane & GalleryONE88 are both 'COVID-Safe' spaces and have contingencies in place in the event COVID-19 restrictions are increased. This means that this event is going ahead unless NSW Health prevents this sort of activity from taking place, or ALL performers are unable to attend. And not to worry, in the case of the event being cancelled, every patron will get a full refund without needing to ask. We know that many events have given their patrons a credit when an event has been postponed - we won't do that, so you've got no reason not to book 😀.
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/ THE MEAL /
Victor Peralta is both a celebrated artist and an executive cook, who will be curating a dining experience like no other. Featuring two majestic and generous courses, meals will be delivered to your table by alternate drop (one option for you and the other option for your partner) between sets. Dessert, tea, and coffee will also be available to purchase on the night.
- Please Note: Menu to be updated closer to event -
- Entrees -
Platter of Mixed Pinchos: A traditional dish from the North of Spain closely resembling 'Tapas', 'Pinchos' are usually eaten in bars or taverns as a small snack while hanging out with friends or relatives. Thus, they have a strong socializing component and in the Basque country and Navarre, they are usually regarded as a cornerstone of local culture and society; or
Potato Gnocchi in House Pesto Sauce (Vegetarian): This gnocchi is served lightly tossed in our house-made fresh basil & pine nut pesto sauce, and sprinkled with shavings of matured parmesan.
- Mains -
Mega Meat Balls: Prime beef and spicy chorizo baked slow in a secret ONE88 herb and spiced tomato au jus until tender and mouth-watering. Served alongside al dente pasta and sprinkled with shavings of matured parmesan; or
Red Lentil & Cauliflower Dahl (Vegetarian): This curry is perfect for those nights where warmth and just a little spice is needed. Served alongside jasmine rice and naan bread.
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/ REFRESHMENTS & LICENSING /
Pigeon Lane is currently BYO only, however, has a dedicated cafe during the day and has an extensive range of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as fresh espresso coffee from Blue Mountains Coffee Roasters. If you're in the mood for a little dessert, Pigeon Lane has also got you covered!
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/ THE SCHEDULE /
Date: Saturday, 11 June 2022.
Venue: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, 186-188 Katoomba St. Katoomba
Doors Open: 6:00 pm
First Course Served: 6:30 pm
First Set: 7:00-7:45 pm
Second Course & Intermission: 7:45 - 8:45 pm
Second Set: 8:45-9:30 pm
Tickets: $94.50 per person including a 2-course meal
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