This recording of Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One" comes from Chad Lefkowitz-Brown's Quartet Sessions, released in 2019. The Monk composition is performed at a medium swing tempo of approximately 136 BPM in the key of E-flat major, using the 32-bar AABA form. Lefkowitz-Brown takes the first solo on tenor saxophone, stretching out over three full choruses. His playing demonstrates a deep understanding of Monk's idiosyncratic harmonic language, weaving angular lines with moments of bluesy lyricism. Pianist Holger Marjamaa follows with two choruses at a slightly relaxed tempo around 133 BPM, bringing his own interpretation to the Monk material with characteristic harmonic sophistication. The medium tempo sits in a comfortable groove that allows both soloists to explore the intricacies of the 32-bar form without the pressure of an up-tempo blowing session. The E-flat major tonality provides a warm, open harmonic foundation that balances the angular quality of Monk's melodic writing. This performance highlights the Quartet Sessions' engagement with the Monk repertoire, treating the material with both reverence and creative freedom, and showcasing the natural rapport between Lefkowitz-Brown and Marjamaa as they trade the spotlight.
