Product DescriptionOriginally active from 1980-1992 and reformed with the original personnel since 2006, the "Micros" started with a basic reeds-and-rhythm texture that was sonically similar to the sound of the Swing Era, but used influences from the entire continuum of jazz. The result was a brilliant blend of fresh-sounding orchestration, ideas, compositions and inspired soloing. Their sound is the sound of jazz in America; ALL of it, from Ellington to Ayler, bebop to Zorn, Basie to Lacy. The Microscopic Septet distill the essence of jazz into a sound that swings - a music that is intelligent, sometimes humorous, and always good fun. For the group's sixth release, they have recorded an album of their unique arrangements of the music of the great American composer Thelonious Monk. With gorgeous art work by New Yorker artist Barry Blitt and liner notes by long-time Micros fan Peter Keepnews, Friday the 13th is a long overdue party with the master, at which The Micros Play Monk.