Steve Smith performs Rhythm-A-Ning LIVE

The group "The Misterioso Quartet" was organized by music impresario Milan Simich in order to play the music of Thelonious Monk at The Birdland Theater in NYC in October, 2022. Guitarist Steve Cardenas is an authority on Monk's music having transcribed and co-written the Thelonious Monk Fake Book:

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/thelonious-monk-fake-book-c-edition_steve-cardenas_don-sickler/814247/#edition=2554541&idiq=10615473

Bassist Ben Allison has played Monk's music often and has most of the music committed to memory. Trumpeter Tim Hagans has also played Monk's music many times over his long career. I have played some of Monk's music over the years, in fact Vital Information has a creative Mark Soskin arrangement of Rhythm-A-Ning.

The "The Misterioso Quartet" interpretation of Rhythm-A-Ning is straightforward and features solos by Steve Cardenas and Tim Hagans.
They trade 8s, 4s and 2, with me and then drop out for my solo. My approach to the drum solo is to keep the Rhythm-Changes AABA form.
Towards the end of the solo I play some double-bass drum phrases inspired by Ginger Baker. I feel Ginger Baker had a quite unique concept with his double bass drum playing and it has been overlooked by most drummers. Check out Ginger's solo on the Cream song "Toad" for some interesting ideas for double bass drum soloing!
- Steve Smith

Steve Smith’s Zildjian cymbals: 14” Avedis Hi-Hats, 20” K Mini-Bell, 21” Staccato Ride (main ride) plus a 20” Complex II Ride (far right).
Drums: Sonor Steve Smith 30th Anniversary kit, REMO heads, VF sticks, DW 5000 Pedals, Cympad Cymbal Optimizers.

Видео Steve Smith performs Rhythm-A-Ning LIVE канала Steve Smith