“If you know what you’re about and have a musical path,” Thelonious Monk once said, “stay with it no matter what. If it’s valid and honest, people will come around no matter how long it takes. Just be yourself!”
These words, as they apply to drummer Chuck Bernstein, have a special resonance. Chuck’s trio, Monk’s Music, is a working band with a shared vision. There’s an ESP-like simpatico between Chuck, pianist Si Perkoff, and bassist Frank Passantino that makes each note, phrase, and tune click. One immediately senses a rare level of interpersonal and musical trust that makes taking risks possible. In Harmony of odd numbers, sounds-of-surprise abound.
(From the liner notes by Dr. Chuck Berg, University Of Kansas)
Ugly Beauty
Blue Bolivar Blues
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We, the members of the Monk’s Music Trio, are very pleased with this new CD. We have done our best to live up the high standard set by our first CD (Harmony Of Odd Numbers). We believe we have succeeded.
This CD is meant for those who want to hear the music of Thelonious Monk played with love and respect, while maintaining the individual creativity of the performers.
Think Of One
Ask Me Now
Boo-Boo's Birthday 
This is the re-release, on CD, of Si Perkoff’s fine recordings,
POET’S JOURNEY and JAZZ MIX. Previously available only on LP and
audiocassette, they contain remarkable performances that deserve fresh
attention.
POET’S JOURNEY is presented in its entirety. All seven compositions
are originals by Si Perkoff.
The re-release of JAZZ MIX contains only the acoustic half of the cassette,
with the exception of Dr. Jazz which was performed on a digital piano.
JAZZ MIX brings two additional originals to the CD, Homegrown Shuffle
and Ellingtonia.
The rhythm sections from both recording sessions consist of top-notch,
sensitive, swinging musicians.
Bob Maize on bass and drummer Vince Lateano are featured on POET’S
JOURNEY, recorded in 1978.
JAZZ MIX, recorded in 1991, features Paul Breslin on bass and drummer
Jim Marshall.
Crystal Silence and Lucky So & So are duo performances, i.e. piano
and bass only. Dr. Jazz and Ellingtonia are solo piano performances.
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At around 50 he started singing during performances for elderly and ill residents in convalescent homes and hospitals.
To quote Si: “I am forever indebted to that wonderful volunteer organization, Bread And Roses, for providing me the opportunity to give my time and talent. An unexpected bonus was the discovery, through singing, of new dimensions of myself. I hope that the feeling of direct connection that I get while singing comes through in this CD.“
Accompanying Si are two extraordinary musicians. Tom Shader has a unique style of bass playing that personifies artistic honesty and joyful creativity. Dave Black, on drums, is a veteran of the Duke Ellington orchestra, and had a long tenure with Bob Scoby’s band. One of the treasures of Jazz, Si says of Dave: ”I can describe the experience of playing music with him best by paraphrasing the old Gospel song ---I cannot keep from swinging!“
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In mid-1999
Si Perkoff became the proud owner of a
1906 Model ‘O’ Steinway grand piano.
The genesis of this solo CD is that piano.
T he wonderful sound of his instrument inspired him to acquire
top quality equipment for recording at home.
The recording took place during October and November of ‘99.
2. You've Got to Give Me Some
3. Dream State*
4. Opus One
5. Autumn in New York
6. Stompin' at the Savoy
7. Willow Weep For Me
8. A Day in the Life of a Fool
9. At Home Blues*
10. Sophisticated Lady
11. Si's Boogie*
* = Original composition
