Composer’s Note:

Duke/Monk was originally composed for flute and piano and first performed by flutist Mary Fukushima and pianist Michael Kirkendal, at the University of Oklahoma in 2009. It was re-worked for clarinet and piano by the composer at the request of clarinetist Charles Neidich. Neidich (and pianist Morey Ritt) premiered the new version in Beijing at the China Conservatory in May 2011.

The titles of the two movements refer to the iconic jazz musicians Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. The movements were inspired by their compositions “Come Sunday” and “Well, You Needn’t.” The clarinet/piano version is recorded on Once and Again, Music by Edward Smaldone, New Focus Records, 2020.

In addition to the flute and clarinet versions, there is a version for flute, bass clarinet, cello and vibraphone, which was first performed by the No Exit Ensemble (Sean Gabriel, flute) at Weill Recital Hall in NYC and also at the Bowdoin International Music Festival (Linda Chesis, flute) in 2022.