Adult-Minded, Kid-Hearted Quartet Monk's Brew Mix it up at the Rook

Friday, July 7

The members of The Monk's Brew reveal their youth in the types of collective interests they share on social media. Ya know, normal kinda-kid stuff: "Partying. Psycho Bears (sic). Prestige," and sausage-and-pepper subs at Teresa's Deli.

That childlike goofiness could, at first thought, seem to belie the Erie-based quartet's ability to create some seriously grown-up, classy, highly elevated jazz music.

But, on second thought, it only makes good sense. After all, jazz (when it's done its due) is like that — a playful, complicated, powerful child, letting it all out, having fun, or frenzy, or whatever it feels, disguised the whole time as a smooth, sleek, all-grown-up character.

Or something like that.

However you describe what it's been cooking up, The Brew has been a fixture of Erie's jazz scene since 2011, when its members started playing together while the four were attending Mercyhurst University. Since that time, they've been regulars at local venues, on JazzErie's annual Jazz Walks, on the air at WQLN 91.3, and opening for the likes of Grammy-nominated jazz great Chris Brubeck.

Next up, they'll be bringing their strong, smooth, signature sound to the King's Rook Club stage, offering a night of sweet, swingin' jazz.

Diggit, cats.

 — Ryan Smith

10 a.m. to 2 a.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook.com/kingsrookclub