Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" is the most iconic ballad in the jazz repertoire, and Holger Marjamaa's version on his 2019 album Mostly Standards approaches the composition with the reverence it deserves. His single-chorus piano solo over the 32-bar AABA form at 67 beats per minute in E-flat minor unfolds with the careful attention to space and dynamics that Monk's music demands. The composition, written around 1944 and first recorded by Cootie Williams, has been performed by virtually every major jazz musician, each interpretation becoming a statement of musical identity. Marjamaa's reading respects the original's angular beauty while bringing his own harmonic sensibility to the changes, finding personal expression within one of the most well-traveled harmonic landscapes in jazz. The slow ballad tempo demands expressive conviction on every phrase, and Marjamaa's touch and dynamic control are equal to the challenge. His voicings and melodic choices reflect a deep understanding of Monk's unique harmonic language, honoring the composition's signature dissonances and unexpected resolutions. As a performance on an album dedicated primarily to standards, this track represents a high-water mark, demonstrating that even the most familiar material can yield fresh insights when approached with musicianship and imagination.
