SPHERE

by Scott Yanow On the very day that Thelonious Monk died (February 17, 1982), the Monk tribute group Sphere — comprised of Monks longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and Monks former drummer Ben Riley — recorded an album of Monk tunes. Although Sphere started out as a tribute band, it also performed originals and jazz standards during its existence. The quartet recorded for Elektra Musician, Red, and Verve (including a set of Charlie Parker tunes) before disbanding after Rouses death on November 30, 1988. Sphere re-formed in 1998, with saxophonist Gary Bartz assuming Rouses place; that year they issued their self-titled comeback LP.