As you might guess from their name, the trio of bassist Devin Hoff, drummer Scott Amendola, and clarinetist Ben Goldberg have set their sights on the vibrant, swinging compositions of Thelonious Monk. With a spotlight on selections from their recent eponymous CD, the trio performs rich, quirky interpretations of both well-known and rarer pieces by the great jazz composer and pianist. Says Devin: "Monk's songs permit the individual musicians to discover the heart of the matter and learn its truths in their own way." Says Ben: "Plays Monk is always aiming for the distilled truth of the music." Says Scott: "Thelonious Monk.  Of course, what else is there?"

A collaborator in an array of improvisational ensembles in jazz, blues, rock, and new music, Scott is also a mainstay in the Bay Area avant-garde jazz scene, and has worked with Charlie Hunter, Madeline Peyroux, and the Nels Cline Singers. Bassist Devin has played everything from punk clubs to major jazz festivals; he has performed regularly with the likes of Vijay Iyer, Nels Cline, Graham Connah, and Carla Kihlstedt. The recipient of a 1993 National Endowment for the Arts grant and driving force behind tonight's trio performance, Ben has worked with folks like John Zorn, Vijay Iyer, Cecil Taylor, and Nels Cline, and has performed on the Freight stage with groups such as Tin Hat and Clarinet Thing.