Thelonious Rex (cl,tpt,btbn,pf/elec, pcn,cb)is a 5-movement work for chamber ensemble and commissioned by the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble in 1982 and written at the Berkshire Music Center (Tanglewood) in 1982. Each movement is based on a composition by Thelonious Monk, one of the founders of Be-Bop. Some of the movements are more obviously related to the original composition than others but each movement is left unlabeled so that the true aficionado can "name that tune." Performers who are acquainted with Monk's work will find that background useful in their interpretation as well as listening to Monk's solo piano albums or the two volumealbum on Blue Note recordings, The Genius of Thelonious Monk. This composition seeks to capture Monk's raw energy.

Listen to a clip of the 2nd movement of the composition below:

Two pages from the opening movement can be viewed below: